Main Pipe Vent Size

Dan Mahn Sr.

I have a one pipe steam system with a 3 1/2" Main Pipe that is about 53' long down the center of the basement of a 3 story house. I now have a Drust 3/4" x 1/2" vent which I believe to be a #1 installed on a 6" X 3/4" nipple. I have come to realize that the main is bigger than most and that my vent may not be fast enough. What size would you recommend? I have a Weil Mclain Gas boiler PEG55. Thank You, Dan

Steamhead

Dan, that works out

to 3.71 cubic feet of air. The vent to use is a Gorton #2, which will vent 5 cubic feet per minute. It is the highest-capacity vent available today.

If you can't find this vent at your area suppliers, go to Gorton's site:

www.gorton-valves.com

and when you e-mail or call them, talk to Ken Kunz and tell him I sent you. If no one near you handles them, Gorton will sell you one direct (BTW, where are you located?).

Now, that main is pretty long. If you find that the radiators at the end are still slow, add a second Gorton #2 to your main, right next to the first one.

You probably bought that "Durst" vent at Home Depot. I'm familiar with it; it's really only good for venting convectors. It's way too small for your main!

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