When is it worth it to relocate radiators?

nuevosul

I read "We got steam heat" and DH mentions that when steam systems were installed the idea was for the radiators to be between the cold and the room. We have a brownstone to be renovated before we occupy it located in Brooklyn, 3 floors, 17 feet wide, one pipe steam. All the back rooms of the house (facing the garden) have radiators against the window. But all the front rooms of the house (facing street) have radiators on the party wall, to the right of the fireplace (not even between fireplace and window). Now, the placement of these front room radiators drives me crazy because they are smack in the middle the rooms (which are narrow and hard enough to furnish) and because my new knowledge has made me dangerous and I am thinking they are best located at the window. Problem is - the front room radiators are at least 9 inches taller than the windowsills. Question: So, if you were me about to renovate, would you ask you (my plumber) to quote me a price to move them to the front wall? Seems to me this request would also need to include the price to substitute the old rads for salvaged, shorter+wider radiators so they could fit under the window. Right? Or would you advise me to "suck it up and leave them, dummy!" (PS - There is not enough room for them to sit flat against front wall next to the window casing) Anyway, hope you can picture this. Thanks in advance.

[Deleted User]

Caution...

When moving 1 pipe rad's, the dead men sized the branch run out and pipe pitch for counterflow operation. Attempting to move the rad may cause a drastic change (decrease) in pitch, which can lead to water hammer. It's not an easy fix, especially when the mains are buried in the structure of the home.

It can be done, but requires a LOT of attention to detail, most of which is unknown or overlooked by the typical plumbing contractor. It's more than just piping. It's pitch, size and load connected.

If in doubt, hire Frank Wilsey (Steamhead) for an opinion.

ME

michael_15

Other thoughts

Mike T. gave some additional insight on top of the "We Got Steam Heat" book recently.

http://forums.invision.net/Thread.cfm?CFApp=2&&Message_ID=195557

-Michael

nuevosul

Frank Wilsey

How does one locate FW? Did you recommend him because he is in the Brooklyn, NY area? I don't see him within a 10 mi radius of my zip on "Find a pro"

Gracias.

dennis02

Look for the red truck #8

Bob W._3

He works in Baltimore.