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STEAM SYSTEM- 2 PIPE- SUPPLY/ RETURN ON SAME END- NO VENT

Unknown
Unknown Member
in THE MAIN WALL
How does the air get out of the radiator? Does it go through this "pipe trap" or does it have a radiator vent?

Comments

  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7
    STEAM SYSTEM- 2 PIPE- SUPPLY/ RETURN ON SAME END

    STEAM SYSTEM. HIGH SUPPLY/LOW RETURN. EACH ON SAME END OF RADIATOR. NO VENT. WHAT DO I HAVE HERE? THANK YOU.
  • Unknown
    Unknown Member
    Not a problem.

    What is on the outlet of the radiator; a regular steam trap, or something else?

    Noel
  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7
    STEAM SYSTEM- 2 PIPE- SUPPLY/ RETURN ON SAME END

    no mechanical trap- just a makeshift pipe trap on outlet for radiators on first floor- pipe trap is in basement below radiator. thanks noel
  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7


    no traditional steam vent on radiators- just a coin vent on far side
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    Sure it isn't hot-water?

    that's where we usually find coin vents.... take some digital pics of the boiler and radiators and post them here, we ought to be able to ID it...

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  • Daniel_3
    Daniel_3 Member Posts: 543


    Sounds like a down feed hot water system to me.
  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7


    I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE GRAVITY HOT WATER, BUT I CAN'T FIND ANY TYPE OF EXPANSION TANK. I LOOKED ALL OVER, INCLUDING THE ATTIC!!! I WILL POST SOME PHOTOS. THANK YOU
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,601
    Bill sent me the photos

    It's a hot water system.
    Retired and loving it.
  • deville
    deville Member Posts: 10
    Pictures

    Here are the pictures Bill was trying to post, it sure looks like a water system based on the radiator piping.
  • deville
    deville Member Posts: 10
    Pictures

    Here are the pictures Bill was trying to post, it sure looks like a water system based on the radiator piping.


    Bill,
    Do you have any pictures of the near boiler piping or any piping in the basement?
  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7
    boiler photos you've requested

    Dave/Dan,
    The circulator you see in one of these photos is not a main circulator. It is cut in below water line for a kitchen remodel zone. Main system has no circulator.

    Appreciate your help!
    Bill
  • Steamhead (in transit)
    Steamhead (in transit) Member Posts: 6,688
    That's a STEAM boiler!

    OK, what do we have here? A 2-pipe setup without traps- it's either an Orifice system, or might be a Kriebel or something else with ordinary-looking return ells that have things in them to stop steam. Either way, it's Vapor.

    In pic 91, I see a loop of pipe that looks like it connects the end of the steam main with the dry (overhead) return. Maybe this is a Tudor, the original Orifice Vapor system patented in 1885?

    Not sure why those vents were put on the radiators. They look relatively new- could the system have an air venting problem and someone thought they would help? I think that might be the case- also in pic 91, above the boiler, we see a tee with a plug in the top, and the bottom of the tee drops down into the Hartford Loop. This is probably the main dry return from the entire system- I'll bet if you open that plug and put a Gorton #2 vent there, the system heats quickly.

    Are there any vents on the steam mains and dry returns in the basement, that we can't see in the pics?

    And last but not least- where are you located?

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  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7
    steam system

    thank you steamhead. we are located in longmeadow, mass. i do not see any other vents. i will act on your suggestion of the vent above the boiler- there is a plug there so installation should be easy. system looses water every day, but there are a couple of radiator valves pissing. hopefully replacing those valves will help the water loss. what are your thoughts on an auto feeder? thank you very much for your help. bill
  • Daniel_3
    Daniel_3 Member Posts: 543


    I would not use an autofeeder. They make people lazy and give them an excuse to not go down to their basement (even though your basement is cleaner than any I've ever seen) Are there any air vents on your radiators at all? I live in Worcester and would love to take a look at this. If all your rads had the coin vents on them then i would be very curious as to how the rads heated up at all. It looks like you have two loopseals. Also you may be experiencing water loss through the two supply risers. The unions behind the insulation that are not tight enough? There is also leakage at the zone for the hot water below the circulator.
  • BILL SMITH
    BILL SMITH Member Posts: 7
    steam system

    thanks daniel. the house is one of karen's listings- she is a realtor. this whole thing started with a freeze up. there are no vents on any of the radiators. i guess the multiple leaks are causing the constant water add. what are loopsesals?? house is not occupied if you'd like to take a look. thanks for your help. the radiators all heat fine- without vents!!
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