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Farthest added radiator takes forever to heat

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Shimon
Shimon Member Posts: 5
in THE MAIN WALL

Im renting a Brooklyn brownstone that has single pipe steam.

They added a bedroom in the back

The radiator installed takes a long time to fully heat.

Besides for the fact that it doesn't look like a single pipe steam radiator it seems to be missing a main vent at the end of the line.

Question is how large can I drill and tap a 2 inch pipe to add one?

Is 3/4 too big?

Also would it go after the last take off for the radiator?

1000179624.jpg

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,988

    Do we assume that that vertical pipe is the takeoff for the radiator in question?

    Since you are renting, you need your landlord's permission to do anything. But… you could either drill and tap the main in that area, or you could modify that riser to take a vent on a T. Which might be easier.

    Can you give us a photo of the radiator?

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Captain Who
    Captain Who Member Posts: 560
    edited January 22

    What is the direction of steam flow? Is that a dry return in the foreground? How many radiators are on this main? How long is it? Is there no vent anywhere on this main? If there is one, where is it?

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,988

    It is NOT a dry return. If anything, it is a steam main extension. I have been accused of being pedantic on this — but the two serve totally different functions and are piped totally differently.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Shimon
    Shimon Member Posts: 5

    Hi thanks for your interest,yes all will be coordinated with the landlord.

    Attached picture of the steam path.

    I assume there is a main vent at the old end of the line as the rest of the radiators heat up much faster.(so that would be about 20' away)

    What is a steam main extension?

    Does that mean it doesn't require a vent here?

    Yes the take off goes up to the radiator which i will attach as well.

    It was Frankensteined in an attempt to increase heat output but now im thinking it could have been a venting issue all along.

    1000187556.jpg 1000187551.jpg
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,881

    No need to drill and tap if the supply to the rad is the pipe with the union. Take the union apart and take the radiator valve above off. Put a gate valve where the pipe leaves the main if you want and put a tee on the top of the riser connect the branch to the rad and a vent to the run of the tee.

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