Why two condensate returns from one radiator?

Tad Wysor_2

I just discovered a branch of the one-pipe steam system in our old house that seems to have two pathways for the condensate water to return. (This branch seems to have been added later than the rest of the system to supply an 1950-era addition.)

The pipe to this radiator comes from one of the main steam lines and goes straight through a crawlspace to the first-floor radiator. Then, instead of stopping there, it continues around the perimeter of the crawl, loops near the orig pipe, and then drops down to a small return pipe that makes its way near the basement floor to meet the other returns. There is a main air vent where the pipe drops down -- it's hissing now and presumably needs replacing.

However, this part of the pipe and the vent were covered by a sheetrock wall that I'm not thrilled about punching through to replace the vent. Why wouldn't it work for me to just cut the pipe at the radiator and seal the ends, cutting this extra return out of the loop and relying on the supply pipe to double as the return, like everywhere else in the house? What am I missing that made the installer go to all the trouble of piping this extra loop? I look forward to hearing any idea! (PS -- still a great website!)

Steamhead

Is the runout from the main to the radiator

pitching up from the main, or down? If down, that explains the extra pipe- condensate won't flow uphill.

It's also possible they planned to add another radiator to the extra piping but didn't, or someone removed it.

You can install an access panel at the vent location for future access.

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