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Air vents spitting water!

John Boyer
John Boyer Member Posts: 60
in Strictly Steam

Hey guys. I woke up to several radiators’ air vents spitting rusty water. One made a good sized puddle of water on the floor. It looks like my fill valve was slowly leaking and filling the boiler. My sight glass was completely full with the valve off. I’m replacing the valve, but do you think this did any damage to my system? Is there anny else I should do besides replacing the valve? Thanks.

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241

    You're most likely ok. Replace the fill valve, drain back to normal operating level and start up. At worst, you may have to replace some radiator vents.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,283

    You might have to remove the rad air vents and shake the water out of them other than that with a new valve you should be fine. May have to replace some air vents if they don't cooperate as @delcrossv mentioned.

  • John Boyer
    John Boyer Member Posts: 60

    thanks, guys! I’ll keep an eye on the air vents

  • John Boyer
    John Boyer Member Posts: 60

    ok. So I fired it up and a couple radiators aren’t getting hot. I’m assuming the rusty water clogged them. I’ll take those air vents off and shake them out. If that doesn’t work, any recommendations on air vents? Existing ones are mostly vari valve

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,433
    edited November 9

    Almost anything but Vari-Valve LOL

    Nothing from a big box store

    I like Maid O Mist the best

    Gorton is almost exactly the same but more $

    Get them from supplyhouse.com or your local supplier, but make sure they aren't selling no-name lookalikes

    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

    delcrossv
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241
    edited November 9

    Maid o Mist. (See above)

    Why the VariValves? Do you have adequate venting on your mains?

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.

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