Vent locations - not all new vents closing

Steve Garson

Steve Garson

Vent locations - not all new vents closing

I have installed two pairs of Gorton vents per Steamheads advice. My system heats up faster and needs far less pressure. One thing I notice is that one of the pairs of vents never gets hot enough to close, since it is located on the condensate dry return, which doesn't warm up until the boiler just about cycles off. Is this causing the boiler to run longer than needed since pressure won't build with an open vent? The vents all work fine when removed and tested. I've attached a rough drawing of the layout. The Triangles are the Gorton vents: one pair very close to the boiler and the other around 20 feet of pipe away.

Should I plug the vent holes and tap holes in the steam mains instead?

Steamhead

I think

your system may be under-fired, or possibly there's a leak in the boiler above the waterline.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Steve Garson_2

To check for leak in boiler, should I simply flood the boiler to the top and watch for water under the jacket?

What I don't understand is that all the radiators get hot. Since the vents that stay cool are on the dry return, the steam needs to go all the way through the main, fill the radiators and then the pressure pushes to the dry return. Or am I wrong in this thinking?

Steamhead

To find a leak in the boiler

just flood it while it's cold- if you see water on the floor, it's time to replace it.

Also, is there a "dip" in that dry return that could hold a pocket of water and condense the steam before it recaches those vents? This would probably also result in water hammer.....

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"