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Vent Size for 1 pipe Steam House

bdc_diy
bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
Hello,

New to this. New boiler, all radiator vents >20 years old. Replaced two Dole 3C main vents (completely plugged) with Gorton #1. Attached is a simple power point with the piping. There are three upstairs radiators. Downstairs heats fine. Upstairs is the problem, the middle heats fast, almost inline with the main boiler. The other two are slow to heat. One very very slow.

Was the Gorton #1 a good choice? Should I get a larger vent?

Learned about this as there was no advice or information on uneven heat from installer. Started search around and found both Silent Steam and Garry Gill youtube.

Thanks
bruce

Comments

  • Big Ed_4
    Big Ed_4 Member Posts: 2,916
    You can't go too large on main vents . You don't want any resistance on the main vents . You want the main to charge first .. You need resistance on the radiators vents to direct the steam down the main first and then to the radiators

    First size the vents to the size of the radiator and increase size if needed. Work your way up slowly .It is best to have an adjustable radiator valve or different size caps ......

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,209
    @bdc_diy , how long are your steam mains, and what pipe size?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    I tried to add a power point hope it will work. It shows the up. Thanks for all remarks.

  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    All the runs to all the radiators are 1.5" OD pipe.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,209
    bdc_diy said:

    All the runs to all the radiators are 1.5" OD pipe.

    That's 1-1/4" I.D.

    The pipe coming off the boiler would be 2-1/2". What about the two pipes after the split- what diameter are those?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    After the split they are 2" OD. 1.5" OD going upstairs, 15' up. That radiator gets hot quickly. Almost inline with the main pipe.
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,006
    That's where your steam is going first. Try slowing that one down a little

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,209
    bdc_diy said:

    After the split they are 2" OD. 1.5" OD going upstairs, 15' up. That radiator gets hot quickly. Almost inline with the main pipe.

    So each of the main lines that feed groups of radiators, one going front and one going back, are 2" O.D>? That's kind of unusual, except in very small houses.........
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    I will have to get under the insulation and check.
  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    Thanks for you help and patients. I new to this. Many updates. Found a chart to convert OD to ID so now all the pipe diameters ID's are listed. Starts at 2.5" out of the boiler. Split is 2". The front loop stays 2" till the return. There 1.25". The back loop, 2" -> 1.5" -> 1.25" progressively. Updated power point attached.

    All the radiator feeds including the verticals to the 2nd floor are 1.25 ID.

    Thanks!
  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    So I took the numbers in the power point and calculated the volumes in the two loops. I split the volume in the main pipe between the front loop and the rear loop.

    1.0 CF Front loop
    1.1 CF Rear loop

    Is a Gorton #1 appropriate for a main vent for that volume?

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,006
    Yes. if not, add more

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • bdc_diy
    bdc_diy Member Posts: 8
    Key resources:

    Youtube:
    HeatingHelp
    silentsteam

    Sites:
    https://www.gwgillplumbingandheating.com/ Garry Gill's website
    HeatHelp.com

    Searching this site heatinghelp.com using many different key words.
    Watched many of the detailed and helpful youtube videos.

    What I did:
    There are 2 main loops.
    First bought 2x Gorton #1, one on each loop. Too little venting (an opinion on my part).
    Bought and added 2x Gorton #2. One each on each loop (size difference dramatic).
    8 radiators in house, bought 8x Vent Rite Adjustable vents.

    Main vents installed. #2 and #1 on each loop though #1 will not add much.
    In the process of installing new radiator vents. Not doing all at once.

    Thanks for those that stopped by and to those for maintaining this site!



  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 17,209
    So, @bdc_diy , how does it work?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting