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Can Main Vents Go Bad?

MissButters
MissButters Member Posts: 21
in Strictly Steam
Hi. I have a one-pipe steam system with two mains off the boiler. In 2017, we put a Gorton #2 on the main that feeds a few rooms, including the family room. In late 2019, we put a Barnes and Jones Big Mouth Air Vent on the other main (which had no vent and had been capped off). The system was actually running great for a while. The family room was one of the warmest rooms in the house. However, recently, the family room and the small powder room (both on the same main), are now the coldest rooms and not heating fast at all. I even switched to a D air vent on the family room radiator, and it still seems to be taking a while to heat up. I believe my system is shutting off before it can completely heat since the room with the thermostat is on the other main. So, the room with the thermostat will reach the set temperature of 69, but the family room will still only be at 64. As I stated early, everything was great and the family room was one of the warmest rooms until the last few weeks. Is it possible the Gorton #2 vent has gone bad? Any other thoughts would be appreciated!!

TIA!

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,493
    Any device can go bad. It seems unlikely that the Gorton would have, but it's possible. Was it ever overpressured? (over 3 psi). You might just see if it got stuck (I've seen that) -- sometimes just a sharp rap will open it again.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,312
    This can also happen if the boiler develops a leak above the waterline. The steam will go up the chimney instead of to the radiators.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
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    scottnjr
  • scottnjr
    scottnjr Member Posts: 60
    I agree with steamhead. Rule that out first. it's easy. Just fill the boiler way past the the top and water will pour out if its rotted.
  • MissButters
    MissButters Member Posts: 21
    Thanks everyone. We will check for a leak. Also, in addition to the rooms not heating well, when I turn the thermostat up to get them to heat, we are having a lot of water hammer in the pipes in these rooms. Any thoughts on that as well as the rooms not heating? Again, this is a new problem within the last month or so.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,493
    New water hammer? And just in the rooms not heating? Some pipe may have shifted. They do, now and then. Check all the pipe hangers -- or anything else that might have changed.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    MissButters
  • MissButters
    MissButters Member Posts: 21
    edited April 2020
    Hi everyone. So, apparently we had too much water in the boiler. WE drained some out and have the water level slightly above the halfway mark in the sight glass, and all the issues seem to be resolved! Thanks!
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,379
    I wouldn't call it "resolved" though...how did too much water get into the boiler?

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
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