What steam vent valves should I get?

rarach

I am thinking about replacing all my vent valves on my steam radiators and am wondering which ones to buy. I was looking at the Gortons, but am still unsure of what number to get. I'll need 7, so they really add up. In total it will around $200, so I want to get it right.

I drew a quick chart of the layout of my system. Currently, there are verivents throughout. However, I believe these may be a contributing factor to some extreme water hammer issues I've been having as of late because they are fast venting. I say contributing factor, because there are some other potential culprits and I'm having a plumber come out to check it out next week. I am using a Dan Holohan article as a reference point when he comes, so hopefully, we figure out what is going on. But I'm pretty sure that I need to swap out these verivents regardless. I'm also going to insulate on my own. These seem like easy diy upgrades for my system. As for the water hammer, it is extremely loud and I think that might be more involved and have to do with backed-up sediment (we had water spit out of a valve and it was brown and full of rusty particles).

I know I can ask the plumber this same question. He was recommended as someone who supposedly knows steam at Carey and Walsh in Westchester, but after hearing all about the "Dead Men" online and how few people understand steam now, I'm nervous I might not get the best advice.

If anyone has vent recommendations or also recommendations for steam experts in Westchester NY, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you!

ethicalpaul

My favorite is the Jacobus Maid o' Mist. You can swap out the orifices (for economical and easy experimentation) and they are numbered the same as Gorton. They are $7.50 at Supplyhouse.com

Get some 4s and 5s and a 6. Put the 4s on the first floor and the 5s on the second floor and the 6 in any cold upstairs room after that.

Westchester is tough, I have no idea why. There's lots of steam up there I imagine and lots of $$$

Hap_Hazzard

I second @ethicalpaul's recommendation. You can also get a Maid o' Mist vent that comes with all five interchangeable orifices for about $35-40. Great for experimental balancing.

ethicalpaul

Also I recently discovered that Jacobus makes a main vent that looks like a chrome twin of a Gorton #1 for 1/2 the price: https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-Maid-O-Mist-J1-1-3-4-x-1-2-Main-Vent-Valve-3563000-p

That vent with the 5 orifices would be great if it didn't cost the same as 5 complete vents

coelcanth

they were cheaper last year,
but amazon is currently selling the MoM with extra orifices for $15

https://www.amazon.com/OMIST-0220-5L-Angle-Steam-Valve/dp/B003DV3AGE/ref=sr_1_1

maybe we should set up an exchange through the mail...
i have a lot of 'D' size ports laying around !

Bio

I highly recommend the ventrite #1, all metal inners, will last a lot longer, start at the #2 setting and adjust them half number at the end of each boiler cycle, ideally you want steam to enter all the radiators at the same time

What kind of main vent do you have now?

https://www.opentip.com/search.php?cPath=31269&products_id=7570133&gclid=CjwKCAiAxMLvBRBNEiwAKhr-nFMGtxFlo2c9vvUTTqTPjKvHtC2SJ59po6kSHGbfkcQ0_RMS-WJxrRoCDtUQAvD_BwE

gfrbrookline

I will second ventrite #1's, They are great for balancing radiators.

What ever you get make sure your mains are well vented first.