question about steam traps and vents

Al Letellier_9

In layman's term, Jeff, a trap and a vent serve the same purpose, except the vent only deals with air and a trap deals with both air and condensate. A typical one pipe steam system will only have vents. Larger systems (two pipe) and commercial systems use primarily trap.
Adding a second vent is not a hard job for someone skilled with tools. You have to drill and tap the radiator and place the vent in the proper location. But it is unusual to have two vents on one radiator. Consult a pro before you leap. One would assume from this question that you are having trouble with that radiator. There could be other issues involved. As Dan has always said, the problem is not always in the same room as the symptoms.

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Jeff_66

question about steam traps and vents

How is a steam trap different from an air vent? Do most home steam systems have traps?

Also - adding a second air vent to a large radiator - is this a DIY or do I need to hire someone?

Thanks!

Jeff_66

question about steam traps and vents

How is a steam trap different from an air vent? Do most home steam systems have traps that need regular maintenance/replacement?

Also - adding a second air vent to a large radiator - is this a DIY or do I need to hire someone?

Thanks!

Jeff_66

Our large radiators...

furthest from the boiler often don't get warm enough to heat the rooms. I replaced a Gorton #1 steam main vent with a Gorton #2 at the end of a long main (based on advice from "Steamhead"). I just did this yesterday but it seems to be helping a little. The radiator causing the most difficulty is very large and I've read on heatinghelp.com that such radiators sometimes need a second vent installed below the first one to permit more rapid venting. I will definitely follow your advice and not jump into this too soon. Please let me know if you have other ideas about what to check. By the way - this is a one-pipe system.
Thanks!

gerry gill

for an experiment,

take the vent off the large radiator and fire the boiler up..if it gets hotter faster/better than a second vent, or a larger vent will help..if it doesn't you'll need to call a pro..don't leave the radiator unattended during this experiment lest you want to turn the radiator into a steam bath maker..hehe..no really it can spit water and steam sometimes so its okay to do this for a test but put the vent back on after the test is done..

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Steamhead (in transit)

Jeff, if the heat

still doesn't reach the end of that main in time, you may need a second #2.

But first, is it possible you have a steam leak somewhere, like in the boiler above the waterline? Do you have to add water to the system frequently?

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Jeff_66

how often is

how often is "frequently?" The boiler is only about 4 years old so I hope it doesn't have a leak. It also has an automatic filler so I don't keep track too closely how much water is being used. I do notice when the fill comes on because I can hear it.

Also - where else might I look for a steam leak and how would I detect it? Would this be around the steam valves on the individual radiators?
Thanks.

Al Letellier_9

vents and traps

We don't know the layout and size of your system, but your problems could be several different things: Too little pressure to feed all the rads; too short a cycle; the stat location (gets too warm to quick in that space) or a venting issue. A simple system balance or stat anticipator adjustment may be all you need. You've got to step back and look at the big picture.

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Jeff_66

what is a \"system balance\" ?

I've been switching around some of the air vents on the radiators and I'm making progress. How would I go about doing a "system balance."
Thanks for all the help.

Jeff_66

bump

Steamhead (in transit)

Next thing to check

is the steam reaching the end of the main before it starts rising to any of the rads? If not, it will be most noticeable on rads close to the boiler.

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