Steam Heating Woes

Dale

Well, yes, 2 pipe usually doesn't have rad vents. Question for you, do the rads have outlet steam traps? I have seen a few old systems, mentioned in LAOSH that do not have rad traps but drop into a wet return. So, you need to see what you have. Not always easy but doable with LAOSH book. Most 2 pipe problems are leaking traps that back pressure other rads. So, you could, if you have inlet valves on your ladder of rads, turn each of them off one at a time to see it the others heated. Of course without detailed descriptions this is a WAG on my part. Good luck

JR_9

Steam Heating Woes

I have old, believe 2-pipe, steam system with Weil McClain boiler in 3-story house I just moved into. Three radiators in series (up front corner of house, essentially in ladder series) are not getting any heat although pipes that run floor to ceiling through 1st and 2nd floor that feed these radiators are hot. Also, getting a lot of water hammer in that series as well as another one. I have yet to flush boiler. I recall reading something from summary of "Lost Art" that 2-pipe steam systems would not have vents on radiators. All radiators in my house do have vents, some of which are vari-vents, so I'm a little confused about what I've got and where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

effiweefewelp1875291

Pictures of the rads would help a bunch. As well as the boiler area with near boiler piping. There are some oddball two pipe systems out there. Some are really one pipe essentially!