one-pipe steam system problem

Chris_19

I think you are right on - that makes sense (also based on other feedback I am getting). Do you think I could move the vents into the ceiling? And I think, at minimum, I am going to replace the vents this weekend. Thank you.

Chris_19

one-pipe steam system problem

I live in an old apartment building with a one-pipe steam system. Half of the radiators in the rooms have been removed, and I keep the rest completely off. I live on the top floor of the building, and I have two steam pipes that pass through my apt to the roof. At the top of each pipe, near the ceiling, there is a part attached to the pipe, which emits steam/water and I believe some rust. It is noisy and smelly. What can I do to at least stop the smell? Can I replace the part? My building has been of little help so far, so I want to try and do what I can from my end, or present some ideas to my property manager. Thanks.

Terry St.James_2

one pipe system

Sounds like you are talking about the vents at the top.
But I am not too sure. Usually one pipe systems has a valve somewhere in the top unit or top floor(1/2" usually) that is used to vent the system. If they are air vent(at the top of each riser)...they might need to be change.
By the way if most of the rads have been removed why is the system running?

Big Ed

Vents

Replace the faulty vents on top of the pipe and some how vent them to the outside . You mentioned it passes to the roof ? Where does the pipe end ?Could you install the vents on the roof ? I

Chris_19

Thank you

Thank you very much for the suggestions. I mispoke. I meant that most of the rads in my apartment have been replaced - the rest of the apartments, I believe, still use their radiators. I will definitely try replacing the vents. I am on the top floor, and these vents are at the very top of pipes that extend into the ceiling - I have seen them in other apartments, but only those apartments on the top floor. I am not sure where the pipes eventually end, other than that they go through my ceilings - one is the bathroom and one in the kitchen, and I just assumed both pipes continue through the rest of the top floor from there. I am going to get access to the roof and see what I can find up there. Thanks again.

Dale

Down feed?

I wonder if you have a down feed with express risers. Do you really know the pipes go through the roof? sometimes theres a space above the top apt ceiling where the risers go accross to feed down. I also think you are looking at the main vents.

bob young

standpipe risers

probably simply a standpipe riser vented and extending 6 or 8 inches into ceiling to stabilize the riser and then capped

Chris_19

Do you think I could cap the vents that are in my apartment, then go into the ceiling, and replace the caps in the ceiling with the vents? Would they still work? Or do you think they would cause too much moisture to collect in the ceiling? Thank you very much for your post.

Steamhead

Moving parts must be accessible

this includes vents. Unless the caps are easily accessible, I'd leave the vents where they are.

Before choosing new vents, find out the length and diameter of the risers. Then you can get the proper vent for the amount of air each riser contains.

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Tony Brown

Do one pipe systems HAVE TO have an air vent somewhere in the top floor on the risers (used to vent the system)? The top apartment of my home has none on any of the risers whatsoever.

Steamhead

If they don't

and the risers are fed from the basement, the top floor radiators may be slow to heat. If the risers are fed from the top, the bottom floor radiators will be slow to heat.

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