No heat in Second floor

Maria O

We have been scratching our heads on this one.

The house is over 100 years old with little insulation, try double brick.

The downstairs radiators are warm, the upstairs is cold. The valves have been opened. There is only one thermostat which is downstairs. Downstairs is nice and cozy while upstairs is freezing cold. The radiators upstairs are banging and whistling but no heat. Could there be a blockage that is preventing the heat to come?

Is it a result of the thermostat being downstairs and being sensitive to cooking temps? Shuts off when cooking and upstairs is S.O.L? What do we do to get some warmth??

thanks

Steamhead (in transit)

Is this

a steam system? Do the radiators have only one pipe connected to each one, or two?

Maria O

There is only one connection to each radiator.

J.C.A._3

Be prepared...

You're about to get a lesson on VENTING. Everyone here will be asking about your piping and vents. My best instinct also tells me that you aren't venting enough air from the mains in a timely fashion, causing the thermostat to be satisfied before the steam can get to the 2nd floor.If you haven't already...Check out the "books and more" heading on the left of the Wall page. You want to buy Dans' "We've got Steam. It will be a great start.

Any pictures? That will also be a great help in the teaching process. You've shown some initiative already by coming here, now it's time to educate yourself about your single pipe steam system. Best of luck.

Air out, steam in, water back! Chris

Steamhead (in transit)

Maria, the first thing to check

is whether there are vents at the ends of the steam mains. There should be. If not, you will need to have them added. If air can't get out, steam can't get in.

Also check to see that the shutoff valves to all the radiators are completely open. If not, they can cause water to back up in the rads, causing banging.

Measure the length and diameter of each main and tell us what vent is on it, if any. Do not disturb any old insulation, just measure its outside diameter and subtract 2-1/4 inches, that's your pipe diameter.

If you're not handy, you will want to have a pro install the vents. Fortunately we have a Find a Professional page on this site to help you find someone.

Once the mains are properly vented, steam should be available to each radiator at about the same time. If not, it will be time to deal with the radiator vents.

When finished, your system will heat much faster and more evenly, increasing comfort and saving energy. That's a win-win situation if there ever was one.