Gorton Fast Venting Valve question

jim_14

according to location of radiators rather then size of radiators..What gives? Reading lost art and we got steam I know to vent according to radiator size (if you have a main vent on your system), is
their something different about Gortons or what???


GORTON Vapor Equalizing System
PROVIDES AUTOMATIC ... EVEN HEAT DISTRIBUTION ... TO EVERY RADIATOR
Gorton Vapor Equalizing Valves for radiators are made with five sizes of air outlets. When the correctly sized valve is installed on each radiator, the system is balanced and equalized so as to provide fast, even, comfortable heating in every room. Larger sizes of Vapor Equalizing Valves should be installed on radiators farthest from the boiler and-in the coldest rooms. The small sizes are for radiators closer to the boiler and affecting the thermostat.

Theres is even a diagram of a house with recommendations on where each vent should be placed:

http://www.gorton-valves.com/specify.htm

Steamhead

That's just a generalized diagram

which was made before we started calculating vent sizes by measuring the amount of air to be vented. The situation where "location" really makes a difference is where some radiators have longer pipes connecting them to the steam main than others. This influences the vent size since longer pipes hold more air, and we have to get rid of that air before steam can reach the radiator.

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

scrook_2

vent sizes

So really the vent should be sized for the combination of the internal volume of the radiator and the feed pipe after the steam main, i.e. a slim tube rad would need a slower vent all other things being equal than an older fat columned rad (assuming a house w/ several styles of radiator), and a radiator at the end of a long riser from the main would need a faster vent than the same rad close to the main (which hopefully has a working *main* vent), right?

Unknown

I like that

Bottom line involves some trial and error. Room size, room use, amount the radiator is sized wrong, thermostat location, which floor, all kinds of things play into it.

Getting the hang of adjusting is the goal, then tune it to suit tastes. It is a great way to get to know the customers.

If it is fun for you, the customers will work with you, and all will be well. If it isn't fun for you..... steam won't be fun.

Noel

jim_14

thats why I liked

those cheapie US Air Valve adjustables from Home Depot, you get to play around with different venting sizes until you get it down pat (for a minimal investment)- then you go out and buy the real ones once you've balanced your system...

Tony Brown

Air Vents

Hello, when should air vents be replaced in a steam heat system? My main vent is spitting water, but very little. Is it time to go? And, how long should I expect these babie to last anyway...1 year? They are Maid O Mist, not Gortons.

Regards

Steamhead

They should be replaced

if they stop working properly (as in your spitting-vent case) or are found to be undersized. Maid-o-Mist steam vents are similar to Gortons and use the same sizing schedule, except M-o-M doesn't market the monster #2.

Measure the length and diameter of each main and we'll tell you what to replace it with.

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

Tony Brown

Ok, so although the water discharge is very little, drips&drabs, I'll replace it. This bad vent is only 1 year old. Ok, thanks for info.

How do I measure the main...from what point to what point?

Steamhead

Measure the main

from where it leaves the boiler, past the last radiator takeoff to where the vent is (or should be) right before the pipe turns downward on its journey back to the boiler. If you're not familar with pipe sizes, just measure the outside diameter of the pipe (not the fittings) and we'll know what you have.

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

Tony Brown

ok, first, is it possible to have 2 mains?? If so, I think I do. Does that mean I should have 2 vents, cuz I don't.

Okay, I measured 747" (or 62') length. The pipe outside diameter is both 2.5" (black pipe), and 2" where it's copper. Copper portions just recently added, when pipes were re-located due to no headroom in cellar. So, starts with black pipe coming out top of boiler, becomes copper, then black pipe again at vent.

Steamhead

Sure it is

so you need to break it down into how much pipe is in each main. Then we can size the vents.

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

Tony Brown

Well, my short main has no vent. What do I measure to?? If I measure to where I believe the short main vent SHOULD BE...then it's 252" (or 21'). The main is 2.5" diameter. There's an elbow where the vent should've been, but it's capped.
Again, the long main is 747" (or 62'), out of the boiler, to the long main vent, w/ 2.5" diameter piping. Help?

Steamhead

Main Vent Sizes

Put a Gorton #2 on the long one, and a Gorton #1 or Hoffman #75 on the short one. These vent sizes will make sure steam reaches the end of both mains at about the same time, and quickly. Then all your radiator vents have to do is vent the radiators and associated runouts. You won't believe it's the same system!

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