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Not getting heat on the third floor

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SSmith0518
SSmith0518 Member Posts: 1
in Radiant Heating

I am not getting heat on my third floor radiator. I've called several plumbers but I'm never sure if they are being honest or not. One raised up the pressure gauge which didn't help. The other said I may have a blockage. Not sure what's the answer. Before seeking another plumber I'd like to know what to ask. The valve and the pipe is cold. Last year I wasn't getting heat from that radiator. Please help me with some suggestions. Thanks…

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,086

    Hot water heat? There should be a pressure gauge on the boiler. For three floors, it should read about 20 psig when the boiler is cold or at least cool.

    Check that the valve is really open (counterclockwise).

    Is there a bleeder on the radiator? If so, open it — water should come out.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,819
    edited 9:01PM

    AIR

    if you have a steam boiler and the radiator is not getting hot, then the steam vent is not letting the air out of the radiator. where there is air, you can not have steam.

    Also AIR

    It is more likely that you have a hot water system. Can you tell us what kind of radiators you have on the third floor? Baseboard made of copper tubing with aluminum fins?

    image-22730469c71f68-9d66.png

    Baseboard made of cast iron?

    image-e07630c532e91-f6e6.png

    Convectors inside of a metal cabinet?

    image-a3d47fd3e09cf8-213b.png

    Old cast iron standing radiator(s)

    image-b8f5bfadcc851-f2d1.png

    If the pressure is too low and you can't vent the air out of the radiator or purge the baseboard then you will not get heat in that radiator. For cast iron like this one, remove the air by opening up the air vent until water comes out and you will solve the problem. You need enough pressure on the boiler in order to get the water up that high.  We called that filling and venting the system when I was an apprentice.  If you have the copper tube with aluminum fin like the top picture, that is done with a purge valve in the basement.  

    2 Questions:

    1. What kind of radiators do you have?
    2. Does your heating boiler have a pump connected to the pipes, that moves the water into and out of the boiler? image-b2a0fe95118378-dcb3.png

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • MaxMercy
    MaxMercy Member Posts: 577
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/203764/not-getting-heat-on-the-third-floor

    Steam or hot water?

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