DIY Wet Return

Bomba

Hey Guys,

Was wondering if it's "alright" to have a "tee" in my wet return? Was looking to run a new wet return, and wanted to run most of it before I cut out the current. In doing so, I would run a new went return down the center of my basement, elbow into the location where the current wet return is. My question is, can I run the wet return from each main run into a "tee", and then pipe it into the boiler. I'll include a non 3D sketch of what I'm suggesting.

Thanks!

ethicalpaul

Yes, you can do almost anything as long as the whole thing stays under the waterline.

You can also put additional Tees with 3/4" garden hose valves to make flushing it out easy.

New England SteamWorks

as the whole thing stays under the waterline.  

This

JUGHNE

Will the Tee be under water?
IMO, that is necessary.

Bomba

Everything will be underwater. My water line is 32 inches. Wet return will be 12 inches (all measurements from floor) 

JUGHNE

So each end of main drops will have a water seal from each other?

Bomba

I just sent you a DM

EBEBRATT-Ed

yes your fine

Bomba

Hey guys. Finished the wet return and main vents. After completing I think I did this one main line wrong with the vent. Was wondering if it was adequate or if I should try to bring the vents up into the ceiling? 

ethicalpaul

It’s not horrible. I’d see how it does in practice. Remember the vast majority of venting will occur before the condensation starts really flowing. If the vents shoot water or fail to vent the air, you may have to raise them

mattmia2

Pyrobar.

danitheplumber

I was always taught that the proper posotiob of the main vent is 6-12" off ends of the main right before the elbow turns down.

ethicalpaul

That would be better

Danny Scully

I’ve come off the vertical drop in the past with my venting tree, assuming you have at least 28”. 

Bomba

Thanks everyone. Before makes more sense now that I’m thinking about it. It does work, and having a system before with no main vents to adding (2) Gorton 2’s it’s a tremendous difference. Maybe when the weather changes I’ll do it the right way. But for now, it’s going to stay. 

EBEBRATT-Ed

@Bomba

If it works..... fine.

If you have a problem take the bushing out of that tee and put a full size 90 and a nipple where the bushing is. Go up with that 90 to get above the water. Pipe it over to the side and make the vents as high as possible

bburd

The trouble with coming off the end of the main like that is that the vents are vulnerable to water hammer if it should occur, and more likely to get water in them if there is a significant condensate load, for instance on a cold start.

BobC

If you put a elbow (maybe with a nipple between it and the main) at that end of main opening and then a horizontal 6-12" nipple you can the use another elbow and a nipple (get new vent as high up as you can) to mount the vent on. That will protect the vent from and errant slugs of water. make sure the horizontal nipple has a bit of slope so water can find it's way back to the main.

Bob