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Cleaning and Repairing Vents

I am in the process of getting a one pipe steam system back up and running that has been shutdown for about 5 years. The old boiler is being replaced and I expect to have problems with radiator vents and valves. I plan to repack all the valves.

What is the best way to clean the vents? I have a ultra sonic cleaner. I was thinking of using vinegar and putting them through a 10 minute cycle? Most of the radiators on this system have Danfoss Thermostatic Valves and Hoffman 40 vents.

Comments

  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
    edited November 2015
    Those Hoffman vents are bulletproof, and may not need cleaning.
    Concentrate instead on the main vents, and replace those.
    One Gorton #2 for each 20 feet of pipe.--NBC
    randallkc
  • hvacfreak2
    hvacfreak2 Member Posts: 500
    I have boiled my 1-a vents in vinegar , the results were " meh ". Time would be better spent on the main vents , I just boiled a couple of Gorton 2's last week , lol. It seemed to help freshen those up a bit .
    hvacfreak

    Mechanical Enthusiast

    Burnham MST 396 , 60 oz gauge , Tigerloop , Firomatic Check Valve , Mcdonnell Miller 67 lwco , Danfoss RA2k TRV's

    Easyio FG20 Controller

  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
    I've used CLR on radiator vents with good results.
  • randallkc
    randallkc Member Posts: 38
    I have some CLR. I may try that. I basically purchased a new box of vents as well as a new main vent. However I will also need them on another system too.