two-pipe system with with problems

1941twopipesystem

I have a two-pipe steam heating system in my 1941 house. I am not a heating engineer, and I have never been able to find any local experts on two-pipe systems. All radiators have newer Mepco steam traps at the ends, and the system has a Webster 0023 vent trap near the Hartford Loop area leading to the boiler. The radiator stems have been carefully packed to prevent steam from leaking. I find I have to add water to the system every week or so. Somehow the water seems to be slowly collecting in the return pipes, which is never evident until a: the water works its way back to the boiler and I have to drain eveything, or b: the steam is blocked and the pressure-trol unit cycles frequently because of too-high pressure. Can anyone offer suggestions? Here are images of the Mepco and Webster traps:

JUGHNE

Could you post more pictures of boiler piping floor to ceiling, all sides and also good shot of the vent trap showing piping to and from. There looks to be an air vent on top of that trap.

Do you have any radiators that don't heat well, possibly filling with water.

What pressure does the boiler run at?

1941twopipesystem

Here are more photos. Yes I believe that's an air vent on the trap. All the radiators heat well. Before an oil company furnace technician experimented with some taps to the trap vent, the furnace was going up to 5 psi (a lot, I now realize); it was cycling frequently though, reaching 5 psi quickly and then stopping automatically to let the pressure drop to 1.5 psi before running again. When the technician tapped on the vent, suddenly steam - and then water - flowed out of the vent. With a lot of that excess water drained, the furnace is now running at less than 1 psi and heating normally.

1941twopipesystem

PS - the furnace is also the hot water heater.

Steamhead

The vent on top of the vent trap might have a little check valve in it that is designed to hold vacuum. This can hold water up in the system and cause the boiler to flood when it finally comes back.

Unscrew the vent from the vent trap and see if that helps.

1941twopipesystem

OK, will do -- thank you!

1941twopipesystem

Unscrewing the vent did partially solve the problem in that water came out of the vent. Once that stopped the system worked very normally - no cycling and no pressure buildup -- but after a couple of days more water came out of the vent trap top. I'm thinking maybe the pipes leading back to the bottom of the furnace - the Hartford loop, etc - may be clogged up with rust and sediment?

Do you know of a 2-pipe professional working in the New Haven, CT area?

Steamhead

Should be plenty- have you tried the Find a Contractor page of this site?

1941twopipesystem

Ah - just found that link. Sadly there's no one listed in CT there.

1941twopipesystem

There's on person in Springfield MA, so I'll see if he feels like making the hike south.

Jamie Hall

That one person in Springfield is one of the best in the business. He's also incredibly busy...

1941twopipesystem

I've spoken with him and since it's not an emergency problem he kindly offered to come by when he's in the area. Thanks for all the input!