Main Vent Location Question

Vito Cavallo

I am a newbie. Just finished reading We Got Steam. Great book.

I have an older square boiler, one pipe system, 11 radiators. Two risers are on opposite sides of the boiler. One header feeds one set of radiators, the other, another set. They do not connect to each other. (Do I sound like an expert yet?)

I have 2 main vents. Each are located above the boiler and connected to the wet return line, where the wet return goes straight down and connects to the side of the boiler (harford loop?). Is this the correct placement for the vents? Is this the end of the run?

Another question. I would like to replace these vents. One is a Vent-Rite 36. The other is rust stained. What is a good replacement for these vents? Hoffman 45?

Thank you in advance.

Mad Dog

That's where they ran them....sometimes

Most one-pipe main vents are at the opposite end of the basement. On two-pipe, we often see them by the boiler. Work with what you have. Replace with Hoffman #75s or Better yet, Gorton #2s ----more venting capacity. Get those vents up as high as you can. Mad Dog

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Steamhead

Vito, take measurements

of the length and diameter of each steam main. If there are different pipe sizes, tell us how much of each is in each main. Gorton and Hoffman make good vents, but with the measurements we can tell you what you need.

If the mains have old insulation, measure its outside diameter (without disturbing it) and subtract 2-1/4 inches. This should be the pipe size.

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Vito Cavallo

Main Vent Question

pipes are not insulated yet, going to be soon.

One main run is 20 feet, the other is 10 feet.

Main pipes are 2.5 in diameter, or close to it.
Wet returns are 1.5.

Thanx

Steamhead

Those are short mains

use a Gorton #1 or Hoffman #75 on the longer one, and a Hoffman #4A on the shortie.

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