Two pipe steam Q....

kevin coppinger_4

Hi guys! I have been trying to learn more about steam by reading but I got one thrown at me today that puts me a bit over my head...Customer calls, has radiator problems,some not heating. they are all two pipe supply,(3/4") in top and return out bottom(1/2").some work ok One that does, has a air vent on it which struck me as strange. Bad traps right? I cant get the thermostats out ,covers are stuck. There is 1 main vent on the return somewhat works although not fast at all. This is a 4 unit apt.,1 t-stat.,3 Stories, old snowmanw/ a wayne oil burner . Another issue, there are two rads on one side of the building 2nd and 3rd floor where if the 2nd fl is on, the 3rd fl won't heat.??? The landlord is a bit desperate he is going through oil at 275 gal. every 2weeks...any ideas. kpc

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Steamhead

Start with the dry return vent

if it's bad or too small, some rads wont heat.

Then check the dry return to see if there's any steam in it. If so, trace the steam back to find the bad trap.

There should not be any radiator vents on this system. The air is vented from the dry return.

Try heating the trap body and using a 6-point socket with a long breaker bar on the cover to get the trap apart.

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kevin coppinger_4

I had a new main vent in ....

my hand ready to replace it. I turned off the boiler to wait for the pressure to subside but it was taking much too long...if I were to open it w/ 1.5 lbs. of pressure would there be a blast of steam from the vent? I realize about the air vent...thought it wierd that it was there but that rad was heating. If a rad is cold, and a few were, will replacing the trap fix the problem? Most of the returns were cold.thanks, kpc

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Steamhead

The only reason

you'd get a blast of steam is if there was steam in the return. If the returns are warm but not hot, that's just warm water coming back which is OK. You'll know if they're steam-hot.

If you're wary, you might open the safety valve on the boiler to release the pressure.

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