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How to test a Radiator Steam Trap

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Dairon421
Dairon421 Member Posts: 81
in THE MAIN WALL
How do you know when a steam is bad?

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  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,838
    It will either fail open or closed. If it fails closed, the radiator won't heat at all, or very very poorly (and may even fill with water!). If it fails open, it will allow steam to pass once the radiator is more or less full -- and the outlet, measured a few inches beyond the trap -- will be as hot as the trap inlet.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,341
    When a radiator trap fails open, that radiator tends to get very hot while it causes others, usually nearby, to not get hot.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
  • Dairon421
    Dairon421 Member Posts: 81
    edited October 2020
    Thanks guys. So now I understand that when a steam trap fail open it often gets to hot and cause other radiators not to heat because there will be steam in the return. When a steam trap fail close the radiator will not heat but the others will heat because the steam not entering the returns. Am I correct?
    JohnNY
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,838
    Got it
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    Dairon421

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