steam heat issues - DIY Chatroom

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 03:19 PM

I'm new to having an account on the forum but have been reading other peoples questions and answers for sometime now and decided to best describe my situation I should just sign up. I posted this on plumbing too, because I wasn't sure which forum would best suit to help me out.

I have a one pipe steam heat system, with cast iron radiators that switch over from Iron pipe to copper in the basement. The problem is, it's only one zone so the upstairs does not seem to warm up as much as the downstairs. Our friend is staying with us and complains that it gets too cold at night. I have tried insulating the basement pipes, replacing the air pressure relief valve in the radiator itself and it still doesn't get warm enough.

I guess the problem is I'm trying to get the heat warmer without having to re-pipe the basement and put the upstairs on a new zone.

Any suggestions?

yuri · 01-31-2009, 03:28 PM

Are the radiators upstairs getting hot? On a one pipe system it is very important that they be sloped slightly towards the end where the steam comes in or the condensate won't drain back properly. Raise the other end with a thin shim ( 25c/quarter) may be all it takes. Floors sometimes settle. Other posters have done this. Start with the simple tricks B4 repiping.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 03:36 PM

Thanks, I'll try that out, the pipes in the radiators are getting hot, it just doesn't seem like the blow out enough steam. I opened the valves up to let more out, and I heard the high pitched whistle letting air out when we moved in...I'll try to raise up the end with the valve on it to see if that helps.

Will post later on when the heat kicks on to say whether or not it worked

yuri · 01-31-2009, 03:44 PM

Raise the opposite end to the valve.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 04:09 PM

it's pitched upward away from the floor, is that right?

yuri · 01-31-2009, 04:31 PM

If the valve is on the right side when facing the rad, then the left side needs to be higher. When the steam gives up its heat it condenses into water which needs to drain back to the boiler. If not it gets "waterlogged" and more steam cannot enter.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 04:37 PM

ah, gotcha. The left side is where the pipe goes back towards the boiler, the valve is on the right side? Is the valve in the wrong place?

yuri · 01-31-2009, 04:41 PM

Post a pic of it here. The one pipe system that I have seen only has a pipe on one end with a special fitting. I am not an expert on them. "Beenthere" seems to know a lot about them. Saw a episode of "This old house hour" where they recommended elevating the rad as the floor had sunk over time. Click on his name and send him a message if he does not see this post.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 05:36 PM

here is a picture of one of the upstairs heaters. Is there anyway you can upload and highlight where to elevate?

Thanks

beenthere · 01-31-2009, 06:07 PM

Thats a convector, not a radiator.

Is that vent adjusable?
Are any of the vents on any of the convectors adjustable.

If they are adjustable. Turn all the vents on the seond floor to their max open position.

May need to turn some of the vents on the first floor closed a little. May want to close the one in the room wth the stat more then the others.

Also, is there a main vent in the basement. Make sure its working.

Next, what pressure is the boiler operating at. make sure its NOT going aove 2PSIG.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 08:44 PM

I've opened the vents all the way on the first floor and closed the ones as low as possible near the stat downstairs. Also checked the vents out. Boiler is lower than 2psi. I also insulated the pipes downstairs that carry the heat to see if maybe too much was escaping. The steam pipe going into the convector is very hot, but still does not seem to push out much steam, i even replaced the relief valve in it.

beenthere · 01-31-2009, 08:54 PM

I hope you mean you opened all the ones on the second floor.

Turn the stat up and remove the vent on the convector that isn't getting hot up stairs.

See if it gets hot then. The pipe to the vent may be clogged, with rust.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 08:58 PM

will water come out of the vent when i take it off?

yes, i did mean the ones on the second floor, sorry about the error.

beenthere · 01-31-2009, 10:39 PM

If water comes out, you have a real problem.

Shouldn't have any water come out, All the water should be draining back down the pipe to the boiler.

raggedbeefman · 01-31-2009, 11:07 PM

alright I'll give it a shot and will repost with results.