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Steam vents not working?

Jaypair
Jaypair Member Posts: 6
in Strictly Steam

All of my steam vents that look like this are constantly giving off steam


The ones that look like this don't. Is that the way they were designed or have they gone bad?
I want them all to constantly give of steam when the boiler is running

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,502
    Ah... no. Steam radiator vents are designed to close when steam hits them. The ones that are giving off steam are busted, and need to be replaced.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Jaypair
    Jaypair Member Posts: 6
    Really,lol
    I actually prefer when it gives off the steam because it gets the room warmer
    ethicalpaulSeanBeans
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Also, those vents should be on the lower/center of those radiators for more even steam fill. I assume this is a one pipe steam system, Right?
    luketheplumber
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,796
    Jaypair said:

    Really,lol
    I actually prefer when it gives off the steam because it gets the room warmer

    Releasing steam means fresh water in the boiler, excessive fresh water means an early death to the boiler.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
    luketheplumber
  • Jaypair
    Jaypair Member Posts: 6
    Fred said:

    Also, those vents should be on the lower/center of those radiators for more even steam fill. I assume this is a one pipe steam system, Right?

    I'm not sure m not sure about the system, it's a 3 famil brownstone
    Most of the other vents are much lower on the radiator
  • Jaypair
    Jaypair Member Posts: 6
    KC_Jones said:

    Jaypair said:

    Really,lol
    I actually prefer when it gives off the steam because it gets the room warmer

    Releasing steam means fresh water in the boiler, excessive fresh water means an early death to the boiler.
    Thanks for the info
    I was just about to ask if there's risk of any lng term damage
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,248
    Are all the air vents on the opposite end of the rad from the steam valve?
  • Jaypair
    Jaypair Member Posts: 6
    Yes, they're all on the other side
  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,784
    and only one pipe going to the radiator ?
    known to beat dead horses
  • Jaypair
    Jaypair Member Posts: 6
    neilc said:

    and only one pipe going to the radiator ?

    Yes,all of the radiators are like that
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,252
    You need to check the boiler pressure gage and see if the boiler is building steam pressure. It is better if it is not building pressure

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