New Near Boiler Main Spitting-pics!

John MacGregor

Hello,

I noticed that the main closest to the boiler was spitting out wet steam during and immediately after the heating cycle turned on. I replaced the vent with the same model that was originally there (Watts FV4M1, 1/4") but it is still spitting. Perhaps I need a different kind of main vent? I have one other main further down the system that is a Vent-rite and that works perfectly.

I've attached photos so that you can see where the vent is in relation to the piping and the boiler itself. Oh, and don't worry, I plan on insulating those exposed pipes this weekend!

What do you think?

~Jenny

Mark Hunt

That is not


an air vent for a steam system. It is for a hot water system.

Replace it with an appropriate vent for steam.

Mark H

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John MacGregor

That explains it!

Thank you -I wonder who the genuis was that put it there in the first place!

Can anyone recommend an appropiate replacement? I am guessing that I'll have to go to a plumbing supply store rather than home depot so any direction you could give me would be greatly appreciated. It would need to fit into 1/4" and I can't recall a main vent that meets that spec...

~Jenny

Mark Hunt

A 1/8\" tap


is not going to vent the main correctly.

You may want to have a larger tap added so that a correctly sized vent can be added.

Mark H

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Dale

Bushing

Looks like there's a bushing in the tee the wrong vent is now on. You can remove that to get the correct pipe size. See the other post today "I need main vents" for where to get. If you do, and you should, get the new main vent put it up as high as possible to keep from water hammer damage, it should be 18" back but it may be OK if up high. Buy yourself the "We got steam Heat" book here, fun read.

John MacGregor

a bushing?

Hi Dale,

I have to admit, I'm not familiar with what a "bushing" is but I'm assuming its that skinny pipe sticking out from the T that the main vent is currently sitting on.

I had hoped that if I walked into my local plumbing supply store, armed with all the measurements and these photos, someone could steer me towards the right components...besides that, I am not sure how else to figure out what attachment I need to fit on that T to suit a proper main vent. I'm renting so no plumbers are willing to look at it and my landlord is not interested in fixing it (he has no reason to care about how efficient my system is unfortunately).

If I measure the surrounding pipes and post them, could someone tell me what parts to buy?

I actually already have the book and love it!

Thanks so much for your help...
Jenny

Dale

Bushing

It's the hex headed pipe reducer where the male part is threaded into the large tee that has you little hot water vent on it then drops to the boiler. You can check them out in a hardware store. Their purpose is to reduce pipe sizes, they are not considered elegant. The one in the picture looks like it will be hard to remove, if you want to try you'll need 2 large pipe wrenchs, be careful of your teeth.

John MacGregor

A short-term solution?

Given that adding pipe to attach a main vent is something I'd rather a pro do while at the same time plumbers seem to be reluctant to do any work on it (because I rent the place), how does this quasi-solution sound?

Could I just close the improper main vent that is on the system now to prevent steam from escaping and then purchase better (faster venting) air vents for my radiators?

I understand that my landlord has no interest in making my system more efficient (and consequently my bills lower) but I am so frustrated because through Dan's book and the help on this board I've received over the past few months, I know what needs to be fixed to get it working right!

~Jenny

kevin coppinger_4

yes that would ...

"work" but the right thing to do would fix it right...main vents tend to be pricey but it would be best. kpc

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Steamhead

Jennifer

is this a one-pipe or two-pipe system? You can tell by how many pipes connect to the radiators.

If two-pipe, do the radiators have air vents?

If you're not sure, take some pictures and post them here. It will help us identify your system and make the proper recommendations.



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Mark Hunt

All landlords should be so lucky


to have tenants like you, AND they should keep their mechanical equipment in good working order.

The vent is in the wrong place to begin with, so even if there was a large enough tap for a real main vent, it would likely end up clogged or spit water like the other one sooner or later.

Wouldn't it be funny if we knew your landlords e-mail address and the entire Wall started sending him/her "educational" e-mails? You know.......about how steam works and how it is his/her building and his/her responsibility to maintain the system?

But then again, we might get you evicted. That would not be funny.

Let's see what some of the others here suggest.

You're a champ Jenny! I hope this gets worked out for you.

Mark H







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Bill_39

John MacGregor

fast rad vents?

As far as the landlord situation goes, he did call a plumber in to replace a main when I found that it was blocked and he also replaced/repacked two radiator valves that were leaking when I asked him to so he is not a slacker. I've only been a tenant since Sept. 1 and I am hesitant to ask him to get a plumber in to pipe in another main...which is why I wanted to just take care of it myself. I think I just need to suck it up and do the best I can for now.

I think its not a great solution but I'm going to just close off that incorrect/misplaced main and purchase faster vents for my radiators. I have one main that works (and is in the right place!) which is something.

Anyone recommend a fast venting radiator vent that I could purchase at plumbinggoods.com? Oh, and to answer an earlier question, I have a 1-pipe system...

~Jenny

Joe_50

vents

Jennifer if you aren't wanting to replace that with a main line vent take a look at this:
http://www.gorton-valves.com/specify.htm

And here they are on the website you mentioned:
http://www.plumbinggoods.com/index.cfm/id_product/f12c1805-8c89-4c8c-845a-1b1edebc542c/action/product.show

If I remember correctly gorton makes a straight vent that is a pretty fast vent and would go in place of that vent you have on your system to get you by for now. (gorton #2 1/8"?)
Hope it helps....
Joe