one-pipe/two-pipe mixed system - some radiators sputtering

P Browne

Hello

Let me just say that I am a steam heat idiot, having never had to maintain a system, this is all new to me and my husband. We've been in this house about 90 days (4000 sf, circa 1890, just finished insulating the attic today, walls are all back plastered so can't be insulated). We also had all the asbestos abated from all the pipes in the cellar, and as of right now, there is no insulation on any of the pipes. We are just outside Boston.

Let me tell you what we have, first...

- A mixed steam system with about half of the radiators two-pipe and half one-pipe.

- All of the valves are fully opened. You can feel that the valves seem to be opening and closing as there seems to be light resistance in both directions and a definite fully-open and fully-closed position. On the two-pipe radiators, both valves are fully opened.

- The boiler was just installed.

- I drain about a gallon of rusty, dirty water daily (per instruction from installer who told me that the new steam system would "scour" the rust and crap out of the pipes and radiators).

- Most of the radiators have a bullet-shaped silver valve. A couple seem to be adjustable (numbers on the top with a slot) One has a hockey-puck shaped valve that the heating guy installed after I complained about one particularly cold radiator.

- There are two bullet-shaped valves at the top of two standing pipes by the boiler. When the boiler is on, they are almost continually venting steam.

- Thermostat is in the front hall, reasonably protected from drafts and such. New, electronic, programmable.

Okay...here are my problems:

1 - Some of the radiators are not heating up at all, or heating only partially or only heat some of the time. There does not seem to be any pattern. I have spent the last month going around taking notes about how they are heating up and there does not seem to be any rhyme or reason to why some heat up some times (fully or only partially) and sometime they stay cold.

2- A couple of radiators get WAY too hot. The radiator in our bedroom gets so hot that we have to sleep with the door open or get blasted out with the heat. The kids bedrooms are cool (across the hall and next room over).

3- Several of the radiators are spitting and releasing steam. I don't know if those valves are doing what they're supposed to be doing and somewhere else is clogged or if these valves are faulty. It is generally the same few radiators which are hissing and spitting.

4- We also have some hammering going on, though it is tolerable and I always thought it was part of having a steam system. I am just concerned that this might indicate that something is not right about the system.

5- The automatic fill system seems to be adding water frequently. I can only assume that this is a combination of the gallon or two a day that I drain and steam lost from the vents. I would venture to say that about 3-4 gallons a day is added - maybe more. Is this excessive?

6 - We were told by the heating guy to never, ever, ever control the heat by shutting off or turning down the valves on the radiator as that was a sure way to induce leaking. True?

The heating guy is getting tired of hearing from me, so I guess it's time to take matters into my own hands and get some answers.

Thanks in advance for your expertise (and patience!)

Pat