rads randomly cold

Bernie Bret

Hi all.
I recently replaced my old oil fired steam boiler with a new gas boiler. At keyspans suggestion, I've replaced most of the old air vents with new, adjustable vents. I have a single pipe system.
Usually everything is working fine but every few days or so, one of the rads will stop working.
Usually it is one of the radiators on the second floor of the house. Today, it was a rad on the first floor.
The Attic radiator has also stopped once but usually works great.
In order to fix it, I remove the vent on the cold rad, blow some water out of it and put it back on.
I'm not sure if the blowing or the removing the vent is fixing the problem.
Any thought as to what might be causing this problem and how I can fix it? This is really fustrating.
Bernie

Bernie Bret

Sorry, in my original post, I said I was blowing into the valves when I meant to say 'air vents'. I've updated the post accordingly. Please indulge me, I'm a rookie.

chuck_6

Rads randomly go cold

I would suggest using Gorton air vents instead of adjustable vents. Gorton's number is (908) 276-1323. Ken over there is terrific and can tell you which number or letter vent to use on each radiator. You may also want to make sure each radiator is pitched properly toward the pipe. You may also want to insulate the steam pipes.

Steamhead

Dirt

could also be causing water to back up in the vents. Try boiling them in vinegar and see if that helps.

Dan also has vent-sizing info. Go to the Books and More page of this site and order the "Dead Men's Steam School" video and workbook. It's basically a steam seminar on VHS and Dan did an excellent job. The workbook contains all the information you need to size all the air vents on your system.

Gorton makes some really nice vents- I especially like their #2 main vent which was originally designed for Vapor, but works well on One-Pipe mains over about 40 feet of 2-inch pipe too. If you talk to Ken Kunz at Gorton, tell him Chuck and Steamhead sent you. He's one of the best.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

Bernie Bret

Thanks for the input. I'm going to try cleaning the vents before changing them. I just spent $160 on 8 adjustable vents. It seems like I need a good balancing strategy. Trial and error is certainly not doing it.
Any balancing tips would be appreciated.

Keyspan really let me down. They argue that their job is only to install the boiler not to balance the system.
I will get the video.

I understand the importance of insulating the pipes. Unfortunately, I've grown dependent on the pipe running along the basement as a source of heat for the basement. Guess I should put a real heat source in the basement.
Bernie

Neil_3

Cold bedroom rad

I bled it. It still will not get hot. Going to replace the valve. It won't turn at all. I am pretty sure it is stuck in the open position (I had heat last winter). Could this be the problem?