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Help with old one pipe steam radiator (loud hiss - hoffman #41 replacement?)

davis2127
davis2127 Member Posts: 3
edited November 14 in Strictly Steam

Hi - I just moved into an older brownstone in Brooklyn - my landlord lives in the basement but I'd like to not bother him (so no boiler access unless I really need). I have access to the top three floors. My Hoffman #41 valve on the radiator in my bedroom makes a very loud, short hiss several times in the morning (when the heat clicks on as the thermostat's program sets the temperature a bit higher). It's hard to sleep through. It's a shorter hiss, and there is no water - only air escaping. Is there a better valve I can replace this Hoffman #41 (1/8" straight) with, that would reduce this intermittent, loud hiss? Pictures below - thank you so much! I believe this is a 2 valve, 1 pipe raditor? (edit - i've been taught - 1 pipe with a thermostatic valve). Thanks again!

Edit 2: I've been told Maid o Mist #5 is one option. Any Gorton option that might be quiet? Thank you for the help!

img-1387.jpg
img-1388.jpg

Comments

  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241
    edited November 14

    It's one pipe with a thermostatic vent. You can replace that with a straight Maid-O- Mist #5 which may be quieter, but a loud hiss may be a mains venting problem which you won't solve in your apartment.

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    ethicalpauldavis2127
  • davis2127
    davis2127 Member Posts: 3
    edited November 14

    Thank you - any Gorton alternatives? I've heard they are quieter? Thank you again! Any other solutions are welcome as well - I'll tell my landlord it may be a main venting issue.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 5,247
    edited November 14

    Like the sirens you'll get used to it.

    davis2127
  • delcrossv
    delcrossv Member Posts: 1,241

    Maid -O-Mist #5 and Gorton #5 are equivalent vents

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,433

    Equivalent not just in size, but in mechanical design and operation

    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
  • davis2127
    davis2127 Member Posts: 3

    The Gorton is $36, the Maid O Mist, $12. Any sense in paying more for the Gorton?

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 6,433

    Some people hate MoM but I don't. MoM also has a swappable orifice to easily change the size of the vent, I like that.

    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 Member Posts: 1,241
    edited November 14

    Nope. (IMHO)

    Just make sure you get the one with the feed from below, not the side.

    image.png

    Trying to squeeze the best out of a Weil-McLain JB-5 running a 1912 1 pipe system.
  • HeatingHelp.com
    HeatingHelp.com Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 52

    @davis2127, welcome to Heating Help! I've merged your duplicate posts into one here to prevent confusion.

    Forum Moderator

    delcrossv

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