Planning a Funeral for a couple very old traps - Can they be saved?

elfie

There are two very old and rare Arco 911 (American Radiator) traps that have been found to no longer work (what a surprise after 60 plus yrs) - they are end of main traps.  One is pictured below.



They are part of an Arco Model K ultra low pressure trap less radiator steam system and  it may be a challenge to replace them.



Is there any chance these traps can be saved?  maybe when they are opened up, there may be an opportunity to repair them (doubtful any repair kits exist for this trap). 



and then what to do with the old traps after being replaced - maybe they have value?

gerry gill

pictures??

where for art thou?

nicholas bonham-carter

Rip traps

Even if they have died, then let them lie in state in a glass case as has done Kim Jong il. Others would like to see them, and don't forget the pictures!--nbc

gerry gill

where

are those traps discharging to? are they just dropping into a wet return? Can you take the picture from farther back?

elfie

better view of trap

here is a better view of trap and connections near floor



it connects to an underfloor return. the return slopes down when it gets close to the condensate receiver, and there is a low point on the return that then goes up to the pipe connecting to the receiver.



so it appears the underfloor return may have about a foot of pipe that is likely full of water near the receiver so the trap may not be able to vent air.  its an old vapor system and seems odd to have no air venting when connected to an underground return.



a further complexity, a longstanding underfloor leak was discovered which may have served as an air vent.



a key issue - can the trap be potentially repaired? and if not, how hard to size up a new trap.



thanks

gerry gill

I wouldn't bother

trying to repair that old trap, i would just replace it with a good quality modern f&t..this is a house correct? then i can't imagine anything larger than a 3/4 f&t being necessary..

elfie

funeral planned for some traps

thanks



it will be a sad day when these historic traps are retired.



the end of the steam mains (post trap) go down to an underfloor wet return and no sign of venting



the underfloor return has a longstanding leak (expansion joint) and this may have acted as an air vent



the dry returns in original installation were vented to an air eliminator



its a puzzle how the mains were vented given that it was a gravity return system - maybe  the venting was handled thru the dry returns (its a ultra low pressure system)

Dave in QCA

Both traps look like they were added

If I am picturing your building correctly, the piping at the floor level is a wet return.  Is that correct?  The drawing for the ARCO system indicated that both the steam mains and the return piping drip to a wet return below the water line of the boiler, no traps needed as long as pressure are low, 8 oz.



That is interesting, because both of these traps look distinctly like the original piping was cut and the traps fitted in.  The trap on the steam main, obviously was done a long time ago.  However the trap on the return line looks much more recent.



But, as I recall, you have all kinds of alterations on the return piping, a condensate pump set, etc.  All of the venting would have been through the return piping runs, above the water line, that connect to the old ARCO air elimintor.   But...  this system has had a ton of changes and its pretty hard to get a clear picture of what's going on.