Main vents: a lowly homeowner's question

Steamhead

might still be good, but it might not be also. What make and model is it?

The plugged Hoffman #75 obviously should be replaced. Both vents should be piped with 1/2-inch threaded pipe.

The replacement vents must be sized correctly. Measure the length and diameter of both your mains and we can tell you what you need.

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ron dame

Main vents: a lowly homeowner's questions

I just got 'A Pocketfull of Steam Problems" and it doesn't answer many questions for homeowners just trying to do the little things....So here we go:

In my small 1 story bungalow, I have two main vents. One was always hissing and spitting, the other one was quiet, but the rad vents popped a lot time.

#1) The hissing one was easy; I barely touched it, the pipe crumbled, and the vent hit the floor. The vent is piped to a 1/2" ell, with a ( now rotted and broken) 1/4" pipe that actually looks more like a threaded electrical conduit, not a plumbing 1/4" pipe. It then is bushed into a 1/2" ell, then goes up 6" of 1/2" pipe to the vent. The question: Is the 1/4" pipe adequate? Or was that just an easy but wrong fix? What should I do?

#2) The other vent is piped the same way, (and it broke too), and the vent ( Hoffman 75) is stopped up. It does not rattle like the other vent. Can these be cleaned (and how) or just replaced?

#3 The first vent I spoke of flows air, and if turned upside down, airflow stops. It also rattles if shaken. Does that mean it is working properly, or is it needing repair/replacement as well?

Thanks!

joel_21

bingo

If your looking for lots of posts here you won't get them cause steamhead just nailed it. Not really worth trying to clean those vents out just replace them "When in doubt-change it out!"

DanHolohan

Ron,

you'd be better off with "We Got Steam Heat." I'll be happy to exchange it for you if you'd like.

jzkpr

On this same main vent subject...

I have 2 mains: one with a Vent Rite #75 valve and the other with a Dole 3c. I assume the Dole 3C has gone bad but I cannot find any charts online showing this model or a proper replacement for it. Any ideas on a proper replacement before i trek down to the plumbing house?

Also, for my curiosity, what are the differences in these 2 main vents? Thanks for all your help. Trying to get all the rooms to heat up at the same time.

jzkpr

On this same main vent subject...

I have 2 mains: one with a Vent Rite #75 valve and the other with a Dole 3c. I assume the Dole 3C has gone bad but I cannot find any charts online showing this model or a proper replacement for it. Any ideas on a proper replacement before i trek down to the plumbing house?

Also, for my curiosity, what are the differences in these 2 main vents? Thanks for all your help. Trying to get all the rooms to heat up at the same time.

ron dame

thanks...let me know what to do to for the swap.

Ron

ron dame

Both are Hoffman 75's, and are mounted at the end of the mains, where the ell turns down to return the condensate to the boiler. I'll try an attach a sketch of the system with sizes and lengths of the pipes, and a picture of the way these vents were connected to the ell.

Thanks for your advice!

ron dame

here's the vent pic

ron dame

The missing radiator is in our bedroom. We like it very cool at night, and apparently the prior owner ( who removed it) did too. I don't know what happened to it, but it's gone.

Steamhead

Measure

the length and diameter of each main, and we can tell you what you need.

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jzkpr

My supply mains measurements...

Thanks in advance for the help.

One supply main is around 12ft length of 2inch piping with its returns being 1 inch piping.

The second supply main is around a 6ft length (2 inch piping) with a similar length 1 inch return line.

I placed 2 Hoffman #75 on hold since my initial post. Hopefully I made the right choice. Thanks again for all the help!

Steamhead

The 75s will work

On mains this short I generally use the small Hoffman #4A vents. The 75 vents will vent your mains in a super hurry.

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jzkpr

Thanks Steamhead.

Thanks for the help on this!