Heating

Heating Blues

Hi, we replaced our gas boiler this summer, it’s a hot water single-pipe system. For some reason, the radiator in front parlor is not getting as hot as it once did. It’s warm on the top but rather cool on the bottom. The radiator located in the back of the same floor is hot to…

by pickles
12/16/2010

Hi, we replaced our gas boiler this summer, it’s a hot water single-pipe system. For some reason, the radiator in front parlor is not getting as hot as it once did. It’s warm on the top but rather cool on the bottom. The radiator located in the back of the same floor is hot to the point i can’t hold my hand on the top. Water flows from the bleeder. Any ideas from the plumbing experts out there, you think it’s sediment/oxidation in the radiator or something else?

Heating

Comments

  2. Hi, thanks for the help. I looked at the images of the diverter tees and don’t see any. Maybe it is the guck issue? Although it worked fine last year…maybe when the system was drained stuff collected?

  5. Single-pipe hot water systems use fittings called diverter tees, which used to be called Venturi tees after the guy that invented them. The systems are still often referred to as Venturi Systems.
    It’s just as likely you’ve got a diverter tee no longer….diverting. But even with a system full of good tees, it was often difficult to make the systems work reliably.

    Do you think that is the kind of one-pipe you may have?

  6. First off, check the balancing valve on the return side of the radiator, it may be closed or not open enough. More likely you have what is commonly referred to as “guck” in your radiator. The radiator needs to be taken outside, hosed out and replaced. Of course, you will then have to refill your system and bleed the air out. Good luck.

    -SteamMan (sometimes Hot Water Man I guess)

  • Get started on

    your next project

    Find a Pro