Radiators Don't Heat

Mike Dotson

We just purchased a 3600 square foot home with a two pipe steam system. New boiler in 1998. Just replaced all steam traps. There are several radiators that do not heat. What might be the problem? Clogged return pipes? We want to eventually get a central air system. Is it worth dealing with this systen or just scrap the whole thing and get a forced air system. Not cheap, but I am wondering how well this steam system will work.

Dale

no heat rads

If only a few rads don't heat this should be pretty simple to solve, something is getting blocked. Make sure the inlets to the ofending are fully open and that they will close, if yes, take out the element in the ofending steam traps and see if steam comes through the rad when the boiler is on if plenty of steam, flush water down return pipe and see if it drains to the boiler if it does the steam trap is the problem, if the water does not drain the pipe must be cleaned. There may be a separate return that these 2 rads are on that has a bad F&T trap affecting only those 2 rads, but I doubt it. Let us know what you find to be the problem.

Steamhead

Mike, when those radiators are fixed

you will be much more comfortable than with a scorched-air system.

If you have an old, 2-pipe system with traps, it's probably a Vapor system. Have you found anything that could help us identify it?

In this type of system, air from the radiators goes thru the traps into the dry (overhead) return line and out thru one or more central air vents. A bad vent on the dry return can cause cold radiators.

Post some pics of your system if you can, especially any odd-looking devices near the boiler. We should be able to tell you what you're looking at.

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