How come...

Craig_2

How come my Mom can't get heat from her two 2nd floor radiators in her two-pipe hot water system?

I've read Dan's "How Come..." book and am very familiar with steam systems as I own one. This hot water thing is a bit tricky to me though. The supply and feed pipes of one of the cold radiators are hot for about 4 feet from the mains. It's odd to me that the return side is hot.

All other radiators are heating well. I suspect one of the 2nd floor radiators (maybe both) were add-ons at some point, probably 35 years ago. The 2nd floor never heated well but now it doesn't heat at all. I've bled the radiators but eventually air stops coming out. No water, no air, just nothing.

I would appreciate some help getting a handle on the problem. I'd like to call someone in but I want to have an understanding of what the problem is first.

-cf

jeff_25

need to check water makeup system you should have water after bleeding jeff

chris smith_2

is there

a tank in the attic ? this sounds like a gravity hot water system to me

chris smith

paradise porter maine

Jackchips

What pressure

is your system running at. It may just be that there is not enought pressure in the system. Most domestic homes operate at 12 to 15 psi. Check the gauge on the boiler.

Craig_2

Re: How come...

There is no tank in the attic but I believe this was built as a gravity hot water system. I remember my Dad saying he had the original radiators converted to baseboard units just after buying the house.

I'll check on the pressure.

Is there a good reference book on two pipe hot water systems? Dan's "How Come..." book stops just short of discussing them.

-cf