2 pipe with and without traps

hmulter

I was looking at a steam system to see about replacing the boiler. When examining the system the radiators are all two pipe with steam vents on the radiators. no problem there. But on the second floor most of the radiators have steam trpas and are piped like a convetional two pipe system with the supply valve up high going in top of radiator and trap on bottom. They did have steam vents on each radiator. In the basement there is no condensate pump and no main vent. There is one wet return that I can see leaving boiler but it is completely hidden in basement where an apartment was added. I have seen systems piped with radiator vents and no traps. This allows them to use smaller pipes for supplys and returns. The traps are throwing me off. As well as no main vents. There is one return I can see that has a manual valve that can vent be used to vent air. This system was installed in 41 and has a Timkin boiler with a newer burner. I just need to know what to figure when replacing boiler. I can see no need for traps. I was tempted to open one up and see if the cage unit is in it.

Steamhead

So how are the first-floor radiators piped?

do they have shutoffs on the return end as well as the steam end?



Post some pics if you can- radiators, piping in basement, boiler etc. This sounds interesting!