Main Vent/Return Piping

Matt_28

I am wondering if I piped my main vents properly (see picture 1). I have since heard that the vents should be away from the pipe that drops to the boiler and I have seen bubbles coming from the new Gortons. Possibly, rearranging my piping to a 90, feeding a 12 inch straight, to a tee (with vent) to another 90 (with vent) would be better?

Also, I have two horizontal returns that feed into one vertical drop before connecting to the boiler below the water line. (See picture 2) Is this okay or does this cause a problem from competing condensate in each return?

Thanks for any responses and Dan for creating this Wall and the many books.
Matt

Steamhead

Piping looks OK

maybe some dirt has gotten into the vents? Try washing them out.

Are those returns coming from steam mains, or are they dedicated return lines?

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Matt_28

Return lines

Thanks Steamhead,
I actually boiled them last night in a vinegar/water mix along with my radiator vents. They seem to be working properly. Is their a certain amount of vinegar needed for the boil?

Those returns are coming from my main lines. I do not have any dedicated returns.

On the venting topic, I do have whistling from my radiator vents before I hear them click shut. Is this normal or should their be absolutely no whistling from these? My main culprit is a radiator that is twice the size of the others on my first floor(see pic). Would adding a second vent on this radiator help to alleviate the air pressure and whistling? I do not see a tapping area for a second if so.

Thanks for your response.
Matt

Steamhead

As long as the steam

reaches the main vents at about the same time, that piping arrangement shouldn't cause any trouble. If it does, simply lower the Y connection below the waterline.

If the whistling radiator is also slower to heat than the others, use a larger vent. If that vent is a Vent-Rite #11, try a Gorton #6.

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Drew_5

Installing Main Vents

I'm going to attack this job this weekend, and install a couple #1's on my two MAIN steam pipes in the basement. Can anyone give me an idea of how in depth this is, and does it simply involve drilling a proper hole in the Main Pipe, and installing the vent?

Any and all opinions are welcome, including the opinion that I should call a professional. (although I am learning that the last 30 years of professionals have neglected to handle the system in my home properly, so I'm hesitant to go this direction)

Eric_8

Drew,

> I'm going to attack this job this weekend, and

> install a couple #1's on my two MAIN steam pipes

> in the basement. Can anyone give me an idea of

> how in depth this is, and does it simply involve

> drilling a proper hole in the Main Pipe, and

> installing the vent?

>

> Any and all opinions

> are welcome, including the opinion that I should

> call a professional. (although I am learning

> that the last 30 years of professionals have

> neglected to handle the system in my home

> properly, so I'm hesitant to go this direction)

Eric_8

Drew,

> I'm going to attack this job this weekend, and

> install a couple #1's on my two MAIN steam pipes

> in the basement. Can anyone give me an idea of

> how in depth this is, and does it simply involve

> drilling a proper hole in the Main Pipe, and

> installing the vent?

>

> Any and all opinions

> are welcome, including the opinion that I should

> call a professional. (although I am learning

> that the last 30 years of professionals have

> neglected to handle the system in my home

> properly, so I'm hesitant to go this direction)



Did you ever get a response about drilling and tapping into the main pipe? I'd be curious to know, since I have the same questions.

Eric_8

Drew,

Did you ever get a response about drilling and tapping into the main pipe? I'd be curious to know, since I have the same questions.

tommyoil

I usually

leave at least 15" away from the ends of the returns and tee in for the vents and get them (the vents) up on an 8"nipple ( if room allows). It looks from the picture that the vents are teed in at the ENDS of the mains. Is that the case? If so, moving them back on the returns should keep them from getting beat up to the point of leaking.

Steamhead

Here's what it would look like

the location isn't optimum but it works. I would have drilled into the side of the last radiator takeoff tee. Also shows how to pipe two vents to one riser. Everything should have a slight pitch back to the main, to drain condensate.

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