No main vent

James W.Stamo

My cousin's one pipe steam system has no main vent,and it is physically impossible to tap a hole for a main vent-is there a way I can vent the riser, could a big valve on the last radiator help? Thanks.

Fred Harwood

main venting

If you can reach a fitting just after the last rad runout, you can drill and tap it for a 1/8 in Gorton C vent. Just drill on the level about half way up the fitting body (not the treaded area). Usually does the trick.
One-pipe systems without vents usually were small and vented through the rads. However, a good main vent will greatly improve response and lower both pressure and fuel consumption.

Steamhead

Or

depending on how long the main is, you may need to drill and tap 1/2-inch and use a bigger vent.

So how long is the main, and what pipe size? Is this the only main in the house?

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James W.Stamo

the main is

the main is about 50 feet from the boiler to the last Radiator, it is a 2" pipe.The riser close to the boiler is OK, we insulated most of the main pipe the rest is buried in the ceiling of a finished basement

Steamhead

You need a bigger vent than the Gorton C

Use a Gorton #2. This will need a 1/2" tapping. You'll love the results!

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