2 pipe steam

Timmy R

Shouldnt a 2 pipe steam system have an air vent or something at the end of the run to let air out? There no condensate pump or any other way to let the air out? if no, where does the air go? Each rad and unit heater have traps. Thanks in advance. Tim

Fred Harwood

2-pipe steam

The air exits via the rad traps into the "dry" returns that end up usually back by the boiler and a vent, which should not be a vacuum type, and should be BIG.

Jacob Myron_16

air vents

Yes the system needs an air vent or air vents.

I worked in some old buildings wit finished basements where no one was able to find the air vents.

I found the air vents up in ceiling.

What youmight want to look for is a3/4" or 1" line near the end of the steam main or mains that goes up into the ceiling.

When you find this pipe make sure that there are no returns nearby or radiators above. Open the ceilng and you may find what you are looking for.

In some other buildings the vent valves were removed and the "Ts" pluged up. Why ws tis done no one new, how did the building heat? That was a puzzle until I found that
all the radiator valves had packing nuts that leaked. The leaking packing nuts were in effect the master vent for the building.


Jake

gerry gill

could also have a pipe off

the return that goes into the chimney..could also go into a condensing radiator on the first floor then into the chimney, or up to the attic to a condensing tank then thru the roof or into the chimney, (ie. early broomell system)