Balancing radiators solution

magewick

The system specs – Utica 150000 btu steam boiler – installed Oct 16 2025.

• two pipe 8 radiators
• radiators do not have p traps, special elbows or orifices
• Stream control using radiator input lever valve
• One air vent on return line in basement
• closed loop steam main 2 inch
• vaporstat controller 4oz in 8oz out

Problem– all radiators were not getting hot. Contractor tried changing vent, adjusting vaporstat settings. Contractor says they have installed hundreds of system and have not had a system so difficult. 1/7/2026 - He is no longer interested to resolve the problem. The contract guarantee for installing the new boiler has exemptions relative to above header radiator piping, valves, controls , etc.

Consequently, using The Lost Art of Steam Heating manual, Heatinghelp.com, AI andyoutube video, I found the following

• My1928 system was know as a coal fired two pipe vacuum system.
•  Radiators located in the same room as the thermostat heated quickly, causing premature boiler shutdown before steam could reach other areas. Relocating the thermostat was suggested  as a potential long-term solution. Relocating the thermostat is costly and not a guarantee solution.
• Dan Holohan manual,  heating help.com and AI confirmed that older vapor systems may lack steam traps and rely heavily on **manual supply valves for proper balance**. Consistent with the information , I  throttled  the supply valves on the livliving room radiators,  That  successfully balanced the system, resulting in **all radiators heating properly** - no hammering or banging radiators or pipes,

The system is now operating as a two pipe system of its age. Proper balancing of radiator supply valves addressed the observed heating issues without requiring mechanical changes to theboiler or piping.

The following is the company verbal and advertisement

Our specialty is hydronics - both steam and hot water systems. Where we excel is in the proper evaluation and repair of boiler systems and our understanding of older vintage systems and equipment.

They also claim a through knowledge of the Lost Art of Steam Heating.

Conclusion: Choosing a company that can correctly evaluate your vintage system is a gamble. If they don't, it may be a total frustrating experience –secluding service, unanswered requests, toxic conversations.

Jamie Hall

Like so many things… so simple when you know how.

Steamhead

What vent did they put on the return?

ethicalpaul

I saw a system like this with convectors. It was working great.

But since yours isn’t, you can partially cover the radiators that are making their rooms too hot.

With a blanket or really anything

mattmia2

it is a 2 pipe vapor system. you have to understand how they work. the 2 pipe residential systems that people come here with are mostly vapor systems. i'm not sure if that is because most 2 pipe residential systems are vapor systems or if people with conventional 2 pipe residential systems find someone that understands it before they end up here.

there should be some sort of stops on the radiator valves that are set based on the edr of the connected radiator that limit the opening of the valve to less steam than the radiator can condense. if the valve is opened to where steam gets in to the returns that tends to keep other radiators from venting and heating.

magewick

Vent on the return line - Barnes & Jones big mouth