two-pipe system without traps - two cold radiators

drtom

I recently bought a home (1st time).  It was built in 1880, and has a two pipe steam system.  The set up is that the pipes coming into the radiators comes in  at floor height, and the pipe going out on the other end also is at the floor height.  Finally, on the exit side, each radiator has a vent near the top of the radiator.  The radiators are column type and there are no signs of traps anywhere in the system.  One exception, there is a smaller radiator that someone added in the downstairs bathroom which is clearly an addition.  It is a one-pipe radiator with a vent.

Overall, the house seems to work very well, no clanging, the rooms heat to a nice temperature overall, except for the downstairs bathroom radiator which doesn't get warm at all, and the front parlor radiator which barely gets warm at the front of the radiator.  I figured that they may just need new vents, but because this system is unlike either types descried in Dan's book, I thought I would ask here before doing anything.

Charlie from wmass

That system is in Dans book Greening Steam

It is a two pipe system with air vents. It was put in before steam traps were invented. I am guessing one size, the supply, is larger than the return side. Air vents need maintained as in a one pipe system.

Steve_210

look on

pages 228 & 229 of the lost art

drtom

Thanks

I'll look as soon as I get home. Thanks for the replies!