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Main vents

acl10
acl10 Member Posts: 349
My system does not have any main vents. It does not look like there ever were any because the mains have no place to put one. Is this the way it should be? It was installed like that when the house was built about 80 years ago.I installed Gorton D on most of the radiators.

Comments

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    Some systems were built that way

    but they should have main vents added. This will make them heat faster and more evenly. How long are your steam mains and what pipe size are they?



    Also, large rad vents like Gorton D or Heat-Timer Vari-Valve units can vent too fast for the condensate to return in the runout, which can cause banging. With proper main vents you don't need large rad vents.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • acl10
    acl10 Member Posts: 349
    How do you add main vents

    How do you add main vents? There is no place to screw them in. The main pipe is 2 inches I think
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,476
    Drill and tap

    You could drill and tap into the main to mount a vent and that could be tough if your too close to the ceiling, the hole has to be at the top of the pipe. If you do drill and tap start small and go up in drill size incrementally til you get the right size hole. that way you will end up with a round hole



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • alternative main vent location

    remember the vertical pipe coming down in the dry return could also be a location for the main vent antler. naturally, it should be as high as possible so as to keep its feet dry.--nbc
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