steam in the return

ceikey

of my steam system. The LR radiator is getting hot on the return side first. For some reason I am getting steam through the return??? How worried should I be about this? How can I fix it? I appreciate any help!

Steamhead

Didn't come thru

try converting to a .jpg file if you haven't already, and try again.

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ceikey

try this

Steamhead

Combination One-pipe/Two-pipe, air-vent system

is what you have there. Steam is getting thru the radiators close to the boiler, then going thru the return and entering the living room radiator the wrong way, aided by the air vent on the return.

There should not be an air vent on the return in this system. Relocate that vent to a point on the steam main near where the living room, dining room and two second-floor radiator takeoffs come together. This will get the steam to that point quickly, and assuming the vent is properly sized, the system will be much better balanced.

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ceikey

thanks

That makes sense. I am renovating the bathroom and have the radiator out and the problem seems to have gotten worse. The steam probably gets to the return even faster with it out because less radiators are being fed.

Steamhead

If the return valve leaks

cap off the pipe. With the radiator out it is probably acting like an air vent.

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