What is causing my “end of main” steam vents to spit condensate?
A. Spitting usually occurs because the vent hasn’t been installed at the proper location in the system. “End of main” steam vents should be installed on a dry return at least 15 inches (380 mm) ahead of any elbows, and on a pipe nipple 6 – 10″ (150 to 250 mm) above the main. This problem often arises after a boiler conversion. Typically,the new, smaller boiler doesn’t have sufficient storage capacity for the system, resulting in condensate backing up into the return piping. It may be necessary to install a boiler feed unit to store the condensate. Q.
