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Dead Men Tales: Adventures In Steam Heating

HeatingHelp
HeatingHelp Administrator Posts: 679
edited May 2022 in THE MAIN WALL


Adventures In Steam Heating

In this episode, Dan Holohan shares some basic principles of how steam heating systems operate and why opportunity knocks for those who work on them.

Listen and subscribe here.

Thank you to our sponsor SupplyHouse.com.

Comments

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,378
    I liked that story... Dan, You could make money teaching that stuff in one day seminars!

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    mattmia2Erin Holohan Haskell
  • PC7060
    PC7060 Member Posts: 1,443
    edited April 2022
    Great story and a perfect illustration of the law of unintended consequences.  :s
    I have to wonder, did they ever put the boiler back in the pit?
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    I also wonder. Like so many stories, I never heard the end of this one. 
    Retired and loving it.
    PC7060
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    Ed, thanks, but I’ll stick with watching the birds at the feeder. 😂
    Retired and loving it.
    PC7060EdTheHeaterMan
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,470
    They probably converted it to water
    PC7060EdTheHeaterMan
  • Paul3
    Paul3 Member Posts: 19
    For Dan, regarding this section “If you don't see traps on two-pipe radiators, look for something else”. I have a two pipe system with vents on all the radiators, ca 1900, no traps. Works great (with help from this site). This may be too much detail for the above article, but knowing this was very helpful to me (and maybe others). This is the article I am referring to: https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/two-pipe-air-vent-steam-heating/

    Thank you Dan and all who contribute here. It’s saved me a lot of money and heartache
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    Yes, @Paul3, I should have mentioned that but there's just so much time allowed me. The two-pipe, air-vent system is sort of the missing link between one- and two-pipe steam in those early days. You must have a lovely home!
    Retired and loving it.
  • BradHotNCold
    BradHotNCold Member Posts: 70
    Have had a clogged wet return on a two-pipe system. I discovered it when I saw moisture on the concrete floor above the return. Fortunately we found a good steam technician who knew what the problem was and dug up the old wet return and repiped it. 19th Century house 5000+ square feet. Ran the system at under 3 PSI.
    Vegas
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    Nice catch.
    Retired and loving it.
  • Vegas
    Vegas Member Posts: 8
    i wonder if false water line piping was able to save the day??
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    False water line can’t help with this. 
    Retired and loving it.
  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,385
    DanHolohan said:

    False water line can’t help with this. 

    We've had years to think about what to do. Thermo-compressor or steam injector?
  • DanHolohan
    DanHolohan Member, Moderator, Administrator Posts: 16,600
    It needed enough gravity. Occam's razor.
    Retired and loving it.

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