Leaking valve

Jack_24

I have a steam heat system in my 5 story brownstone. The top floor has 4 radiators. one of them has squirted or leaked water from the escape valve for many years. i replaced the valves starting with gorton widest opening (as this was the furthest away from the boiler) to others brands with very small openings. the problem still exists. my tenant in that top floor apt. has to keep a pot under the valve to prevent water damage. any ideas to help?
jack

Ken_8

The vent may be too big!

Gorton's data sheet suggests a logic that implies the furthest rads should have the largest vent holes (orifices) like a "C" of even a "D". These extreme sizes tend to create lots of counterflow problems in marginally sized risers and take-off piping. Insulation of the mains and riser pipes to this distant rad is also "hyper-critical" to dry steam and spitting vent problems. If a "C" drop back to a # 6. If a 6, drop back to a 5.

Make sure the steam-stop valve is all the way open. Partially opened steam valves will cause the problem you describe. The Gorton valve is also my first choice as well. I'm sure it will take little effort to correct the problem.

One last note. Make sure you use no pipe dope on the vent threads. Teflon especially tends to go into the vent guts and the fray can mess up the guts - rendering the rubber "needle" and seat useless - allowing live steam to get in and drool water/condensate.

Let us know what you find and how it works out.

Oh, one last item. Make sure the boiler never goes above 2 p.s.i. If it does, lots of water can be ejected into the steam riser(s) and make the steam water laden and adding to the problem you state.

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