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Small radiator for bathroom renovation

mj278
mj278 Member Posts: 2
in Strictly Steam

I’m doing a bathroom renovation and due to the new toilet location, the existing 1-pipe steam radiator will no longer work. Ideally, I need something with a 16”x16” footprint. The room is approximately 6’x7’ with one exterior wall.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,474

    That is a small radiator, don't know if you can find one like that. @gerrygill made one out of a piece of pipe that was pretty sweet. If you search this site you can probably find it.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,474

    here is the link I think. A metal fabricator could make one for you with no problem.

    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/151994/new-steam-mini-tube-installation-in-ohio

  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 681

    Go to Etsy and search for "copper radiator." There are guys there who will make a radiator to your specification.

    Mad Dog_2
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,660

    ones like these come in various numbers of sections and probably various heights:

    https://oswaldsupply.com/products/cast-iron-radiator-size-4-7-16-x-19-4-sections-water-steam-output?variant=39527835730057&kw=MR419X4&c=Shopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=PMaxSmart-shopping-(NYC)&kw=&ad=&matchtype=&adposition=&c=PMaxSmart-ShoppingNYC&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADptf1yJSw8S9GE3sV_3y13CqJw7h&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25uj3I0DhEHeMGJbVXdZ4wHuwl7z8fE21XBJ_7FK0OsoLm4uaonCwYu4hoCWegQAvD_BwE

    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

  • ChicagoCooperator
    ChicagoCooperator Member Posts: 363

    Could you make do with just a pipe with a vent at the top if the bathroom is small enough. Referencing ethicalpaul in the other thread, if you are insulating the bathroom you might not need much. You'll need to check your EDR.

    Also, the Steamview by Runtal might work for you - they are wall mounted and fairly slim/slender.

    https://runtalnorthamerica.com/product/steamview/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25uj8jaFDS2JdetHhpIbqrRSpCqCmcqFG0OkiXu7CKlJmrPbAgz0EhPPRoCdRcQAvD_BwE

    ethicalpaul
  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 681
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1806559#Comment_1806559

    I've never worked with single pipe steam. Is a radiator just a vessel with a vent at the top? Seems like there'd be lots of ways to fabricate something like that out of regular plumbing fittings. Just figure out what EDR you need, how many feet of pipe you need to get that, and then let the artistic juices flow while you fit that much pipe into the space you have. Could do either copper or galvanized.

  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 645

    Have you checked Facebook Marketplace or Ebay or Craigslist… There should be plenty of radiators that fit within a 16x16 floor footprint. A standard 2-column radiator is only 7 3/8" deep. You can find 2, 3, 4, 5 section radiators of various heights depending upon your EDR need that will fit. Doubt you would need more than 12sqft edr for that small bathroom… If you need help estimating the edr on one let us know. Sandblast and paint and it would be a beauty.

    ethicalpaul
  • Erin Holohan Haskell
    Erin Holohan Haskell Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 2,354

    Maybe @Nick_Castrads and his team can help?

    President
    HeatingHelp.com

  • DCContrarian
    DCContrarian Member Posts: 681

    Obviously it would be best to do a full heat load calculation, but I'm thinking 42 square feet and one outside wall, maybe 800 BTU/hr? So 3 to 4 square feet of EDR? A piece of 3/4" copper pipe is 0.23 square feet per linear foot, so somewhere in the 13-17 feet of pipe range. Check out this picture:

    https://www.etsy.com/listing/592355380/copper-radiator?click_key=3aff7c410301a356aba00825534f737c3e262103%3A592355380

    It's something a person of ordinary abilities could make.

  • Nick_Castrads
    Nick_Castrads Member Posts: 81

    Thanks so much @Erin Holohan Haskell.

    @mj278 we can definitely help. Our website is www.castrads.com/us/ or call Emily or Leslie on 917-599-9951.

    HeatingHelp.com
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 645

    No idea where you are but something like the little 3 column 3 section one you see in the third picture would probably be about 9 sqft edr. Don't know exact height but guessing around 18"-22" as pictured against the backdrop of 38" rads. Stick a Ventrite 1 adjustable vent on it. Beauty of looking for a small radiator is if you were within a days drive you could probably hoist it into your trunk yourself…

    https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/3500039053619600/?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A968b4196-1047-4496-9729-70587e6e848a

  • ChicagoCooperator
    ChicagoCooperator Member Posts: 363

    I grew up in an apartment with one bathroom heated by a riser (2-1/2" to 3") - we were on the top floor (3rd) and the riser heated the bathrooms and was the supply to the back bedroom radiators. It was sufficient for the most part for a maybe 6'x6' bathroom with two outside walls and small window.

    That was what I was thinking for you, just a pipe running up to close to the ceiling but down enough for a vent (but not too close so it didn't stain if something went wrong).

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,926

    A radiator is mostly just a close vessel with a vent. The vent should be around 1/3 up from the bottom so the top fills with steam before it gets to the vent and closes it. Copper isn't a great material because it doesn't have a lot of mass and expands a lot with temp, those can both cause numerous issues. Galvanized steel isn't a good material because the plating can flake off and contaminate the system. Most steam piping is black iron pipe.

    It needs to be arranged for the condensate to drain back to the valve and ideally not be trapped in any appreciable quantity. Trapped condensate can cause banging and slow heating and a few other issues.

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