For plumbing repair, toilet replacement, water heater installation, or other services, schedule service with one of our Shaker Heights plumbers! G.W. Gill Plumbing and Heating Is Your #1 Choice For Plumbing & Steam Heating in the Shaker Heights Area. At G.W. Gill Plumbing and Heating, License #22183, we specialize in the steam and hot water systems found in the Heights communities.
Licensed by Cleveland as a Master Plumber and licensed by the State of Ohio in Plumbing and Hydronics. Authors of Balancing Steam Systems Using A Venting Capacity Chart. At G.W. Gill Plumbing and Heating, License #22183, we do steam heating systems and gravity hot water heating system work. The challenge posed by this, is different than that faced by companies that specialize in newer, high-tech systems (which we also do).
Licensed by Cleveland as a Master Plumber and licensed by the State of Ohio in Plumbing and Hydronics. Authors of Balancing Steam Systems Using A Venting Capacity Chart. At G.W. Gill Plumbing and Heating, License #22183, we do steam heating systems and gravity hot water heating system work. The challenge posed by this, is different than that faced by companies that specialize in newer, high-tech systems (which we also do).
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One pipe steam systems are just that, steam systems that have just one pipe going to the radiators. The piping in the basement will consist of a large diameter ''main'' pipe, (and there may be more than one of these), that leads from the boiler to the system of radiators. This main can either pitch away from the boiler, or pitch towards the boiler.
This type of steam system is only used (hopefully) on very small systems. It serves somewhat well when the pipe has to go out thru a crawl space for example. In this system the steam flows out of the boiler and into the system main which continually slants upwards. That of course is the problem as the condensate is draining back down the same pipe against the flow of the steam.
The one pipe steam circuit system is also called parallel flow system. This is the standard way that one pipe steam is generally installed in the houses we see in the heights areas. The only major difference here from the counterflow system is that the main steam pipe rises to the basement ceiling then gradually pitches downward toward an eventual drop back to a wet return which again feeds the water back to the boiler.
Every now and then we run into a radiator that still has a vacuum vent on it, or a customer wants to replace a radiator vent and they are confused since they cannot find a replacement vacuum vent and that is what they had before. The bottom line is that unless you are still operating a coal boiler and firing it with coal, you don't need a vacuum vent.
This is the invisible air vent that came out in the late 20's and was really quite a masterpiece of engineering. It made the radiators look much nicer, but that wasn't its real intention. The reason for its existance was to provide better heat out of the one-pipe radiators by eliminating the air pocket that would be left in the radiator when a standard air vent was used.
Reviews (7)
Matt
Aug 03, 2021
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The steam boiler technician/contractor that came out to perform the general maintenance did a fantastic job. He had no issue answering my questions, showed me what work they did and didn't give me a hand-wave excuse that it wasn't worthwhile to explain. He cared about what he did and I value that, especially since I want to make sure the person performing any sort of work on the boiler is qualified. 100%, would return.
They are in the process of revamping their phone and messaging system. I had some issues getting responses after leaving messages, but they are working to improve moving forward
They are in the process of revamping their phone and messaging system. I had some issues getting responses after leaving messages, but they are working to improve moving forward
Kevin Moncrieff
Oct 19, 2020
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Gerry replaced our steam boiler many years ago (you can see our steam boiler install pics on his website) and did a few other minor plumbing projects. We moved to the Chicago area 7 years ago, and I still cannot find a plumber like Gerry - a plumbing scientist. Gerry is a 5-star if there ever was a 5-star. I constantly find myself asking during plumbing projects, "what would Gerry do?". I miss hiring him because he just is the most humble of people, yet is more knowledgable of his craft than anyone.
Matt Hutter
Sep 27, 2020
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Positive: Professionalism, Punctuality, Responsiveness
Gerry is great. Probably one of the best, most experienced plumbers in NE Ohio. His firm specializes in steam heat and boilers which is somewhat of a dying breed of plumbers who have that expertise. Gerry has been out to my house and did a great job.
Gerry is great. Probably one of the best, most experienced plumbers in NE Ohio. His firm specializes in steam heat and boilers which is somewhat of a dying breed of plumbers who have that expertise. Gerry has been out to my house and did a great job.
David Berlekamp
Sep 21, 2019
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Randa Hilal
May 10, 2019
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Aidan Kilker
Sep 17, 2018
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If you have a steam boiler system, G.W. Gill Plumbing and Heating is the one company you should trust to work on it. After other heating professionals poorly installed my steam boiler I had hellacious water hammer and cold radiators. Gerry and his team sorted it out quickly and professionally. I can't recommend them highly enough.
Nathan Gilbert
May 09, 2017
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We had several different plumbing problems in our house that needed repairing. Nate came on time for the appointment and was able to solve our problems. He even had parts for an old faucet that needed fixing that we had not told him about in advance! A nice surprise! In addition, he took the time to go right after to my mother's house to fix a leaky pipe. All in all, a very successful and pleasant experience.
