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All that should be OK.. You don't need a trap the way yours is laid out. The steam in the steam main is separated from the dry return by the water at the bottom of the vertical pipes.

How about separating the dry returns and dropping below the water line, each dry return needs a main vent . As others have stated you need a room by room heat lose . Personally anyone that suggested removing the standing rads to put in cast iron baseboard was not a person w much steam experience being most real steam guys would have to pass on removing standing rads to install cast iron baseboard being the result heating wise are never as promised nor close to a free standing rad . I would put recessed rads right up w cast iron baseboard . Not to be mean and there's really nothing wrong w a new yorker but that boiler is not a main stay of steam guys and usually installed by contractors who are pinching a penny and not the most savvy steam wise as seeing 2 dry return tied together above the water line is a clear indicator that they where clueless when it comes to minor issue that a newbie should spot within a few minutes of looking at a steam systems piping . Either that or the job was done cheap which would be a true being they used one of the cheapest boiler available ,real steam guy don't do things on the cheap being there really aint many do much of anything correct these days so you usually have to pay to get someone who has a clue .Don't feel bad like you were taken because it happen all the time good sales tech and zero interest financing always trump some dude who aint all fancy w dirty hands and a beat up vehicle and is not a choir boy maybe one of the bowery boys or a past juvenile delinquent at a mim . Never judge a book by its cover being the ugly cover is most likely the most truthful one especially since most real steam guys dont lie and tell it like it is which most real customer's don't want to hear even the details so they trust the nice clean guys and we all know how that goes its all worry free lol . That's a north jersey inside joke some will understand all bout worry free until ya gotta worry and then it will b e that guy w the crappy truck or van then ya can start worrying $

peace and good luck clammy

I think you may have some comfusion regarding returns.

The high level returns — usually running close to the steam mains, are dry returns. They do carry condensate, but there isn't much of that, and air from the radiators. They must NOT be flooded, and the join together at the boiler and then drop to the floor level or near it.

The low level returns — usually at or near floor level — are below the boiler water line, and are always flooded. They are called wet returns for that reason. They carry condensate from any steam piping or dry returns which are pitched away from the boiler.

In your pictures I do not see any wet returns at all — so everything else is pitched back to the boiler (or should be!). If you are getting water building up at the ends of the steam mains or dry returns, they are pitched the wrong way.

Unless, that is, some bright individual in tidying up the basement removed the wet returns which should have been there to take drips from the steam mains and dry returns…

Now there is another problem: the near boiler piping is rather badly wrong. No header, only one riser, no real equalizer.

That near-boiler piping will never work right. For starters, there is no header. Then, the riser from the boiler looks like 2-inch, and there is only one riser where there should be two. The result is water is getting up in the steam mains, causing the problems you cite.

This boiler has the name Lennox, but is a re-branded Dunkirk. Dunkirks are extremely sensitive to improper piping.

It needs to be properly repiped. Period.

Ok, we're live!

If you'd like to purchase online, visit this link and use code: heatinghelp1ps_2025

Here's the link again just in case:

https://www.castrads.com/us/product/windsor-1ps-trv/

For those that messaged me privately, thank you! I've asked my colleagues Leslie and Emily to reach out to you (I needed some help - there were a lot). If I / we haven't gotten back to you, please just call our office on 917-599-9951. We have a lot of stock, we'll gladly extend the discount to telephone orders too (just mention Heating Help).

Thank you all for your help with getting this together. I'm very proud of the final product and I hope you all enjoy using it.

Has this boiler ever been skimmed?. It looks to me that the near boiler piping although far from textbook should work. My only question is if one or two risers are required for that size boiler. Check The boiler manual

How is the boiler water level when it is steaming? Violent fluctuations of the water level? Or steady water level meaning gentle movements not exceeding 1" up and down

Watch the thin aluminum pilot tube that carries the gas to the pilot if you have to remove the pilot burner. It crimps, kinks and cracks easily. Its retaining nuts can also loosen. Not a big deal,but if you damage it you'll have to replace it.