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Maximum pitch of radiator

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leaking
leaking Member Posts: 153
in THE MAIN WALL

I may have too much pitch on a few radiators trying to be sure I get all the heat out of a few One Pipe Steam Radiators. What is the maximum or optimum radiator pitch back to valve before I actually loose heat ? Can I loose heat with to much pitch ? Something visable from a distance like 1/2” over 4 ft?

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,224

    Pitch of the radiator has no discernable effect on the heat released by the radiator — the radiator is warmeed by the steam condensing all over the inside, though mainly near the top.

    The radiator can be flat — no pitch.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    ethicalpaul
  • leaking
    leaking Member Posts: 153

    Isn’t pitch needed for drain back? I read here somewhere, too much pitch can cause issues

  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,635

    No, it's not needed, although a lot of people think it is. Anything close to level, pitching in either direction works fine. Even dramatic pitches seem to work fine, I tested them.

    Now baseboards, convectors and other stuff that isn't great with 1-pipe are a little more picky

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

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