New two-pipe steam radiator not heating but trap is hot

Jamiedle

After a year, I was finally able to get someone to install this small Runtal radiator in our half bath. The technician said it was heating before he left last Wednesday, but now that it got cold outside and we've built up full steam in our system (two-pipe vapor), it's clear that the radiator is not heating at all. However, the trap (on the left side) is very hot to the touch.

Tracing the pipes from the boiler, our suspicion is that the trap is on the steam supply pipe side rather than the return side. Does this make sense? Is there any other reason this could happen? I just want to know what I'm talking about when (if?) we can get them back out here.

Also, is there any danger here? Could this situation cause damage? Should we turn down the thermostat until this gets fixed?

Thanks very much in advance.

Steamhead

If the trap is getting hot but the other pipe is not, I'd say it's reversed. Call the guy back and have him fix it.

Pumpguy

What's the temperature of the bottom square part of the radiator? Is that cold too, or is it hot?

JUGHNE

I wonder if the installer will try to just flip the rad around?? 😉

mattmia2

looking at their other posts, this is a broomel system. steam getting in to the returns because the pressure is too high or there are missing or incorrectly set vapor valves is also a possibility.

EBEBRATT-Ed

Could have a bad trap elsewhere back feeding into the rad so it can't vent. Have to get him back as @Steamhead says.