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3rd floor cold in old radiator-heated house

Lexa Edsall
Lexa Edsall Member Posts: 1
in THE MAIN WALL
Hello -- We live in a 1910 house with radiator heating on the second and third floors. The third floor can get quite cold. To make it warm enough, we would have to overheat the second floor. One heating company came and recommended a new circulator for our boiler. Does this make sense? Any other ways to correct the imbalance? Thanks very much for any advice.
Lexa

Comments

  • chuck_6
    chuck_6 Member Posts: 107


    Lexa,
    I'm a homeowner as well, but you may want to check the vents on the radiators. I would highly recommend Gorton vents (see Gorton website, and Ken Kunz there is terrific). For the third floor you should have Gorton D vents, probably Gorton C vents on the second floor, and Gorton 5 and 6 vents on the first floor. You may also want to make sure you have enough insulation in your attic.
  • Mike T., Swampeast MO
    Mike T., Swampeast MO Member Posts: 6,928


    Is this a new problem or one that has been there all along?

    Do the 3rd floor radiators get as hot as those on the 2nd floor? If so, the imbalance would seem intentional and you'd have to take drastic measures to change things.

    If not there might be flow restriction plates in the 3rd floor radiators. They're usually at the hand valve connection but might be at the angle union. If you find them, remove but SAVE.

    If the old circulator is not functioning properly or of the inappropriate type a replacement might help the problem--unless you know for certain that the restrictor plates aren't there, I'd look for them first.

    The restrictor plates were put there on gravity systems (given age I'm assuming yours was one originally) on upper floors to keep the heat OUT as the hot water naturally rose to the highest radiators. Once a pump was installed, the uppper radiators become the most difficult to provide with heat--a 180° flip in operation...

  • les
    les Member Posts: 1


    I had that same problem until my plumber suggested that I increase the system pressure slightly to just over 15psi. This worked great, however ensure that you do not go over 20 psi
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,610
    Chuck,

    you have steam heat; she has hot water heat.
    Retired and loving it.
This discussion has been closed.

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