Need help diagnosing 2 pipe steam

Ken Field

I looked at asystem today and need some validation before I cut open wall or ceiling. It is a 2 pipe steam system with a1 year old WM gas boiler. I can post pics of near-boiler piping but it looks pretty good to me. The quandry comes with the returns and vents. There are no radiator traps and I do not believe the system is a vapor system by looking at the rad valves although I did not disassemble and look for an orifice. The end of the mains are concealed above a plywood ceiling and behind a wall. I suspectthat there is a F&T trap in there. There is a large Sarco air vent in the boiler room and both returns are tied together and fed to the vent. The radiators have air vents on them and my suspicion is that they were Added after something else failed. Like maybe the traps. Not all radiators have vents. That is suspicious too. The house does heat fairly well but I suspect that efficiency may suffer if some co
Pone ts don't work right. I would like some input and help to resolve this for my customer. If one of you would prefer to consult by phone, that would be helpful as I'd like to button this up during cold weather.

Ken

Steamhead (in transit)

Please Post Pictures

Of the radiator piping, valves, returns, etc. Thanks!

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Ken Field

Pictures

I only have one picture of a radiator. It was probably reworked at some point because is looks a little odd. It makes a gurgling sound but I can see why if the steam enters the leg and has to pass the condensate that can't get out. All of the other rads have globe valves on the inlet which is at the bottom of almost all radiators and just a union elbow on the outlet. The pictures of the boiler piping show the way they have the dry returns together to vent. The vent is a Sarco 6T. At no time during the 30 minute cycle did I heat hammering (not one of their complaints) but the ends of the condensate returns never even got slightly warm from condensate either. By 20 minutes, almost all radiators were hot all the way across. There is an 8 foot piece of cast iron baseboard and it heated within4 minutes and stayed hot during the whole cycle. It also has no trap and no air vent. If you need something specific, I can return to take more photos.

Ken

Mad Dog_2

If you are a legit heating contractor........

I have no problem helping you. Email..me and I'll get you thru this. Mad Dog

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Steamhead (in transit)

It might be an Orifice Vapor system

which is pretty simple if you understand how it works..... where are you located?

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Ken Field

Legit is a relative term

If you need references, I can provide. 28 years HVAC, mostly oil. I emailed you off board.

Ken