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Radiator air vents issue

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lamo
lamo Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
Hello guys. I am having a bit of an issue. I just bought a coop on the fifth floor of an early 1900s co-op. The apartment is great but these radiators have been such a pain. The radiators all gurgle a bit and make a really annoying hissing sound. I informed the super and he came and installed three Hoffman 40s. The gurgling and hissing has gotten worse. I'm not sure what else i can do...any assistance would be appreciated.

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  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    Where are you located?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    Do all the radiators make this noise? Do they all heat well without overheating the rooms? Post a picture of the radiators so we can see both ends.

    It sounds like something might have lost their pitch, put a level on the radiators and make sure they pitch back towards the input pipe so water can drain out. If you find any that have zero pitch or are pitched the wrong way, you can try shimming the vent end up a little with quarters under the legs

    It could also be the boiler pressure is too high.

    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
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    I am presuming this is a one pipe system, since you mention air vents on the radiators-is that so? Have you spoken to any of your neighbors about this noisy system? I can't believe that it is only your unit which is affected.
    When that system was first installed, in the newly completed building, it would have been quiet, and even. The job here is to find out what has changed for the worse with the maintenance of the system. I suspect that Bob is on the right track, when he mentions overpressure, to which I will add inadequate main (not radiator) venting. The Hoffman 40 is a good vent, but unable to handle the air escaping from all the supply pipes in the system.
    After checking your radiators for proper pitch, then have a look downstairs at the boiler. Take some pictures, and post them here. As the super what the pressure is set for, and what sort of main vents are in use. Direct him here to get some good advice, and the sooner the better. Letting routine maintenance slide, can result in excessive fuel consumption, which comes out of everyone's pocket-including his!--NBC

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