radiator 101

so there are several things i have learned about our radiators. originals and decorative. one pipe steam radiators.

[Excerpt: Old House]

In a one-pipe system, steam from the boiler rises under pressure through the pipes to the radiators. There it displaces air by evacuation through the radiator vent valves, condenses on the radiators inner surface, and gives up heat. Steam condensate flows by gravity back through the same pipes to the boiler for reheating. The pipes, therefore, must be pitched no less than one inch in ten feet in the direction of the boiler to ensure that the condensate does not block the steam in any part of the system. All piping and radiators must be located above the boiler in a one-pipe system.

replaced - all valves with Steam Angle Radiator Valves (http://www.pexsupply.com/)

replaced - all vents with Hoffman Adjustable Angle Air Valves (http://www.pexsupply.com/)

replacing all pipe flanges with new decorative, thicker flanges (http://www.vandykes.com/)

flushing each radiator and sandblasting exterior and properly pitching each one

steam, banging, and radiators...oh my!

ah the joys and cries of steam radiators. we spent last winter with only having 4 of the 8 on either due to them not working, leaking, banging or extreme hissing. Upon inspection the 100 year old floor no longer felt the need to properly support the radiators either. The radiators themselves are covered in years of rust, layers of paint, and just plain nasty (not a proper towel or blanket warmer for sure).
so the plan is to squeeze in a multi-job project into two weeks before the chicago cold winter really begins.
what we are learning about the old condo is every thing we do is like picking a scab, never good and always creating more bleeding. this time we thought we knew what we were getting into but of course not...

once the radiators were removed the floor was in much worse shape in expected. so the radiators are at ACE Sandblasting getting all prettied up, the new valves are on that the great team from A&M Heating and Cooling installed (so the radiators can be completely shut off or turned on) and the floor is waiting for repair. we can't wait for the consistent heat and the restored 100 year old detailed radiators to return to our condo and settle in for the winter.
the restored radiators are being sandblasted, primed, and painted with Sherwin Williams special heat oil based paint (Urbane Bronze) to give it the cast iron look instead of a painted look. i am eagerly awaiting the completion of this project since it has been on my top project list since we moved in. michele, although not as enthused is ready for steady heat.