Double venting radiators

Diane_3

The only traps on this system are large ones in the basement. We just had the plumber clean them out. There are not any traps near each radiator. Yes - I know this is an unusual system! Diane

Diane_3

Double venting radiators

We have a one pipe steam system. The radiators that are the farthest away from the boiler heat slowly if at all. I read about double venting in Dan's "Lost Art" book. Is it possible to run two air vents off of the same hole in the radiator using a "T" to let the air out quicker?
We have already cleaned traps and replaced main air vents in the basement. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Diane

Diane_3

Double venting radiators

We have a one pipe steam system. The radiators that are the farthest away from the boiler heat slowly if at all. I read about double venting in Dan's "Lost Art" book. Is it possible to run two air vents off of the same hole in the radiator using a "T" to let the air out quicker?
We have already cleaned traps and replaced main air vents in the basement. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Diane

Diane_3

Double venting radiators

We have a one pipe steam system. The radiators that are the farthest away from the boiler heat slowly if at all. I read about double venting in Dan's "Lost Art" book. but there is only one hole for the air vent in the radiators. Is it possible to run two air vents off of the same hole in the radiator using a "T" to let the air out quicker?
We have already cleaned traps and replaced main air vents in the basement. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated! Diane

Tim Gardner

I'm not an expert, so my answer may not be worth much. My only "experience" is to have read the same book.

I think you could do this with a 1/8 inch brass nipple and tee and two of the newer style vents which don't have tongues.

But somewhere I remember reading that you should put the second vent well above the first one so that it is still open after the first one closes up. To do this you need to drill into the radiator and use a "tap" to thread the hole.

An easier solution might be to just use a vent which lets more air in. A Gorton "D" vent, for example, is supposed to let in several times as much as their "normal" vents.

Steamhead

If that system has traps on the radiators

it should not have vents on them too. The air is supposed to vent thru the traps into a "dry return" and out thru a central air vent in the basement.

Take a picture of a radiator and post it here so we can be sure.

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Mad Dog

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Paul Mitchell

main vents

the quicker the air gets out of the steam main the quicker it can get to the radiators. could be bad or partially blocked main vents. also try putting adjustable air vents on the larger radiators.

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Steamhead

One-pipe system with traps?

Is there a condensate reservoir and return pump on this system? Please post some pics- I'm really curious now!

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Unknown

Sounds more like

waste pipe traps , if a plumber was there to clean em out . I would sure like to see a pic of a 1 pipe system with traps also .

Unknown

I saw one.

I cut the traps out so it would work. One pipe radiators, with baseboard that had traps.

You see all kinds.

Noel

Diane_3

Yes there is a pump that pumps the condensate back into the boiler. All the main steam vents were replaced last year. When the traps were checked/cleaned only one was holding water and seemed to be plugged at the bottom hole.
This is a very old boiler - 1.3 million - that used to be coal and is now natural gas.
Does the Gorton D vent for the radiator let the air pass any faster that a Hoffman adjustable set to vent quickly?
So again - if the farthest radiators don't heat up better - will putting two vents off of piping into the same hole in the radiator help vent the radiator any faster?
Thanks guys!!! Really appreciate your help! Diane

Steamhead

It can help

but I think your problem is that the air in the steam mains is not being vented properly. The traps are supposed to do this but they may not be able to handle all that air. Adding properly sized main vents is the answer here. The mains should fill with steam in about a minute, then the steam will pass into the branches serving the radiators.

If you measure the length and diameter of your steam mains, we can tell you what vents you need.

I'm curious as to why that pump was installed. Normally a one-pipe system returns its condensate to the boiler by gravity. Are some of your radiators installed below the boiler's water level?

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