Installing a main vent

Mike20

I stand corrected
MG

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Rickey

Main vent

I wish to instal a main vent. However, the last riser is only 6" from the end of the main. Should I install it at the top of the drop-down pipe of the wet return, or can I install it on the riser? The riser has a "pitched" horizontal section where it joins the main, before rising vertically to the 1st floor. It is also copper, which means I can do it myself.

Mike20

Air vent

Save yourself some time and aggravation , just install an oversized air vent on the radiator at the end of your riser pipe. The net effect will be the same if not better than what you are planning to do
MG


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Unknown

Not sure I'd do that

I'll bet that room would overheat with an oversized vent on the rad . I think Steamhead posted some pics where he installed a tee near the radiator inlet and put a main vent there . The rad still had the proper sized vent attached .

I wouldn't install a bull headed tee at the end of the main ( where the vent is at the top of the tee , the return is the bottom , the steam into the side of the tee ) . When steam and condensate hit the end it'll make the vent spit water often and cause it to fail prematurely .

If you can cut a tee into the main after the last radiator , and before it drops down to the return , that's your best option . The pic shows how we handled a similar situation without any horizontal room to work with . We installed it on the condensate return , but as high as possible .

Steamhead (in transit)

I agree with Ron

over-venting a radiator to try to get steam to the end of the main doesn't work. That radiator will always overheat and others will be too cool.

There are several options here. Ron's idea will work well as long as the vent is higher than about 28 inches from the boiler water line.

You could drill and tap the side of that last tee on the main for 1/2" pipe (leaving enough pitch for the pipe to drain) then elbow up to your vent. Or you could put a tee in the riser itself, just above the main, and elbow up from the "bull" (side tapping) to your vent.

I've enlarged existing holes in mains and fittings where appropriate. Here's a pic of one that isn't in the ideal location, but worked fine.

Make sure you put in enough venting capacity. All main vents are not created equal. Measure the length and diameter of your mains (all the mains in the building) and we can tell you what you need.

Mike Valentine

Air Vent Mfgr

Dear Mr. Steamhead,

Who is the manufacturer of those two copper-colored air vents?

I need to buy some (even bigger) and I can't remember the manufacturer's name & address.

Steamhead

The Gorton Heating Co.

makes those vents. The ones in the photo are the #1, you're probably looking for the #2. Call Gorton at (908) 276-1323, talk to Ken Kunz and tell him I sent you.

Mike Valentine

Thanks so much!