1 pipe steam systems...

Steve Minnich

with radiators below the water line. I’ve reviewed some jobs via pictures and in this situation. 2 pipe steam radiators are being used with traps. I assume this has to be a pumped wet return setup? I, unfortunately, was not able to see pictures of the boiler room.

EBEBRATT-Ed

yes. no other way to do it. condensate pump or vacuum pump.

just wondering why your post says "one pipe steam"??

Steve Minnich

Because the entire building is one pipe except for the apartments in the basement, which are two pipe. I should've been clearer.

Danny Scully

Maybe they’re just filled with condensate @Stephen Minnich

jumper

Danny Scully said:

Maybe they’re just filled with condensate @Stephen Minnich

Or something along similar lines. Higher floors have ample capacity for gravity return. Special strategy for bottom floor.

Steve Minnich

I’ve been seeing this a lot in 100 year old buildings. In a limited amount of time, I’ve looked into as much as I could but nothing concrete yet. Dead Men aren’t telling any tales.

AMservices

If it was meant for gravity hot water the radiator would have a bleeder valve off the top rather than a steam trap or air vent on the side.
Is there a steam trap?

EBEBRATT-Ed

@AMservices he mentioned traps in his first post.

I have seen a couple of these "mixed systems". I always looked for clues weather they were "add on's" or original but they usually seemed to work ok