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Bklyn, NY - Two pipe air vent system - looking for contractor / quote

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gbailey
gbailey Member Posts: 3
in THE MAIN WALL

Hey everyone,

I recently joined the condo board of an 11-unit condo. One unit (the top floor furthest from the boiler) gets far less heat than anyone else (including the units directly below it). We're trying to diagnose and fix the problem. I've had 3 people out and everyone has said the same thing: we're missing radiator traps throughout the building.

Except that we have a 2-pipe air vent system built in 1910 and no one seems to be familiar with it. There's some obvious stuff to me, like replacing all the air vents and the building is running at 3psi so bringing that way down will help, but I would really like someone to look over the system and help me fix the issue. Wondering if anyone can recommend someone who will be familiar with this old system?

Alternatively there was a company called (I think) Pittman or Chapman out of Staten Island or NJ that did a beautiful repiping of an old steam system for me about 10 years ago, but I can't find them anywhere. Don't suppose that rings a bell with anyone?

mattmia2

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,699

    @JohnNY should be good with that. I think @EzzyT can work in Brooklyn, but I'm not sure. Ditto @Mad Dog_2

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    mattmia2
  • Intplm.
    Intplm. Member Posts: 3,131

    @gbailey ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Do This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ and you can also click find a contractor at the top of the page.

  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,409

    Thanks, guys.

    I’m from Staten Island with plumbing shops in Manhattan and NJ and can’t say Pittman or Chapman sound familiar. But I’m around if you think I can help. I promise I won’t suggest adding traps to your system.
    I perform consulting services with written reports for a flat fee or plumbing/heating repairs by contract.

    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    PC7060
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,805
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1902482#Comment_1902482

    Can't go wrong either way!

    All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Baltimore, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting

    mattmia2
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,834

    2 pipe air vents can be tricky and I am not surprised someone who is not familiar with them would suggest steam traps, master traps condensate pumps etc.

    Probably one of the systems that gets knuckleheaded the worst.

    Hopefully you can get one of the experts noted above to take a look and that the system has not been butchered up to bad.

    mattmia2

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