ventrite #33

eburke_3

I have two vented returns. The valves are vent rite #33. I also have hammering which seems to be coming from one of the returns. Are the vent rites a good valve or should I get Gortons? One pipe system with returns coming back from each side. Vents are right at the elbow. ed

Mad Dog

There is NO substitute for a Gorton...

nor a Porsche...Mad Dog

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

eburke_4

vent rite

So I will notice a big difference in venting, if I go with the gortons? Do you think it will help with the hammering.
It's not the real loud banging more like tapping and it's driving the dog nuts, barks like crazy every time the pipes start tapping. Driving me mad, mad dog! ed

Steamhead

Gortons are nice

but you need to solve the banging problem first. Most likely water is backing up into the dry returns from a clogged wet return.

To select your vents, post the length and diameter of each steam main here. We can tell you what you need.

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

eburke_5

vents

The noisy return is on the south side of the house. Last night i lifted the return up three or 4 inches and strapped it to the wall, when i did this the the knocking/tapping seemed to decrease pretty significantly. Does this make sense for the return to make less noise by elevating instead of decreasing the pitch. It also elevated the vent. This return had absestos which was removed prior to the install. I have wrapped return. Maybe the return vent was not working as it should if it was sloped too much? I will measure up the mains. One other question, if the return is clogged is that something I can tackle. I was thinking if I was on the first floor and took a radiator off and then ran water down that pipe, would it eventually help to flush out the return or would it increase the hammering due to water left behind. If it is clogged and I need a pro, I'll call the company that did the install. Are vent rite #33 the right type of vents for a return? The vent rite site said they are used for convection and risers. Appreciate all the advice. ed

Steamhead

To answer your vent question

I need to know the length and diameter of each main.

Regarding the pitch, it's possible a hanger broke and let the pipe drop too far. Strapping the pipe up might be the cure.

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

eburke_6

main lengths and diameter

The main on the north side of the house is 43' and the main on the south side is 36' The pipe diameter is 2" The only pipes vented are the two returns, with again the vent rite #33. Based on these measurements what should I use for vents. Thanks ed

Steamhead

Two Gorton #1

or Hoffman #75 vents on each main should work nicely. Pipe two vents on one takeoff by using a tee and street elbow.

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

eburke_7

ventrite

Can those vents be on the returns where the ventrites are now. I get the idea that two vents should be used on each main, but my mains are not vented, the returns are vented. Should the mains be vented 15 inches back from the end of the main? Or can I just adapt the returns to the setup you recommend? ed

eburke_8

vented returns

I have two vent rite #33 valves on each wet return. I also have some hammering/tapping coming from this return. So far it looks like this return could be clogged causing the problem. I have been considering putting Gorton valves on these returns to see if it gets rid of the problem. I called a plumbing supply and they said to take the #33 of the return that is noisy and see what happens. I did this and noticed that the other return got hotter faster, its also the longer of the two returns. When the other return got hot it was right before the boiler went off and the tapping seems to be fairly close to the boiler. Does this still indicate a clog? I could hear condensate running back as it got hot. Should both returns heat about the same time? It seems as though the longer of the two returns should take longer than the shorter one. If I go with a new Gorton Valve, the fitting as of now takes a 1/4 valve. Can I put an adaptor on the elbow so it will take a larger fitting or does this defeat the purpose of going with a quicker venting valve? Thanks for all the help. ed

Steamhead

Do those two dry returns

connect together before dropping below the boiler's water line?

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

eburke_9

no they don't.

Steamhead

That's strange

to take the vent of one of your dry returns and find that the other one heats faster.

I think at this point, the best thing to do is have a pro come in to look at it. Try the Find a Professional page of this site. If you're in the Baltimore area, e-mail me!

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

eburke_9

Wouldn't these be considered wet returns. They're the smaller pipes, not the 2" main pipes. I'm in Massachusetts. I also like the idea of venting the mains fifteen inches or so before the end. As I said these are not vented and it seems to take a while for the steam to reach all the rads. If I have a pro come in I would want to have him check the return that's noisy for clogging and see if he could vent my mains as you suggested to speed up heating the radiators. I get the whistling which you indicated is air. The last time the company came out to skim I mentioned the idea of venting the mains, and they seemed to think I should leave well enough alone. They are also the ones who sell me oil, and like to increase the pressuretrol setting. Should I call the company or can you recommend someone in the Central Mass area? Thanks again, ed

Steamhead

A \"Wet\" return

runs below the boiler's water level, and therefore is filled with water. A "Dry" return runs above the boiler's water level, and has no water standing in it at all.

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

eburke_10

Steamhead- thanks, I'm getting a good education out here, and I appreciate your help. Can those returns be vented like the mains with two gortons on each? Would this get the steam into the radiators faster? The two inch mains don't have any type of venting. Only vents are on the dry returns, right before the pipes head back down below boiler level. Thanks ed

Steamhead

Yes

Put the Gortons on and watch the difference!

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