Radiator issue
We have a 6 story brownstone, with a one-pipe heating system (i.e. each radiator has one input pipe for steam and return, and then a vent valve). Each floor has 3 radiator units. Our problem is that when the boiler fires on, all the radiators on all the floors seem to turn on rather quickly except for the top floor, which has been taking over 3 hours longer to start getting hot. As a result, the boiler often needs to stay on longer than 12-15 hours to make the top floor warm, which causes lower floors to reach uncomfortably high temperatures. What can we do to make the top floor radiator either get warm first, or at least get warm faster? Thanks! Chris

csommers79
in Heating 11 years and 5 months ago
14
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metalwork | 11 years and 4 months ago
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Good luck Master Plvmber, I hope these home owners see you for who you are. And never allow you a chance to enter their house , not even for a free estimate. Scary you are

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago
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metalwork | 11 years and 5 months ago
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csommers79 i hope it all worked out for you. and for Master Plvmber. you are such a an angry person. before you start the name calling and and childish behavior . read and research who ever your typing about first.your really giving a bad impression of yourself. Peace

eman134 | 11 years and 5 months ago
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You talking about me steam-man?…too busy installing boilers to look at some of the smaller jobs.. but no reason to comment when you gave the right advice before I had a chance to post

steam_man | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Speaking of that, where has Mr. Free Estimate been lately? I haven’t seen him around these parts.

Master Plvmber | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Love “the guy”. Just the idea of some anonymous rube posting about some other anonymous rube and referring to him repeatedly as his “guy” is great fun.

steam_man | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Or call “the guy”

steam_man | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Remove the supply valve, replace it with a tee. Install a +/-7’length of pipe with a reducer (probably 1-1/4″ x 1/2″), bush down the reducer (1/2 x 1/8) and stick the vent in there. Out of the bull of the tee install a nipple and new supply valve, reconnect to the radiator.

csommers79 | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Thanks – how do I vent the riser, and where along the riser should I add the vent?

steam_man | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Vent the riser.

slopefarm | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Per everyone’s advice above, there’s more than one reason you coul dbe having this problem. (Note: the following is layman’s advice, I’m a homeowner not a plumber). I would troubleshoot the balance first — easiest and cheapest step. Install the largest size vent on the top floor — Gorton D. Make sure the vents on the lower floors are smaller. Bigger vents let the steam move in faster, smaller vents slow it down. You want to speed up the draw on the top floor and slow it down elsewhere so the heat rises and falls in synch throughout. Also, insulate the risers in the cellar and on the lower floors. Make sure the valve is open all the way on the top floor. NOTE: You CAN do this yourself. THe heat must be off and the radiators cool before you start removing vents. Also, wrap the threads of any vent you are putting in with teflon tape. prevents it getting stuck due to rust. If this doesn’t help, then call a plumber. I haven’t visited in a few years, but heatinghelp.com was a very useful website to consult a whil eback.

maxwellimus | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Also – make sure that your mains are will insulated!!! The steam is probably condensing to water way before it reaches the top.

mrohrmann | 11 years and 5 months ago
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make sure that your air vents are properly sized for each floor and you may have a clogged line or rad at the top which you would need a legit plumber to assess and fix if necessary.

metalwork | 11 years and 5 months ago
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Good morning Chris, My guy is very good at handling the problem you stated. he service and maintains most of my customers boilers, radiators. They are very happy with his service. If you wish for his contact, please feel free to send me an email