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Valve I have never seen before

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  • SlowYourRoll
    SlowYourRoll Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2021
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    i'm not so sure it's the wizard valve after all. both the wizard valve and the Zwienen one have that cleanout trap at the bottom. the mystery valve looks like the plug for the cleanout trap (if that's what it is) extends horizontally. the Zwienen ref it extends downwards at a 45 degree angle, so not identical but that's a pretty simple modification. however, in the wizard valve, the plug for the cleanout trap is inserted up from the bottom, but it also holds the ball of the ball valve in place. the plug couldn't do that if you rotated it 90 degrees to where it is on the mystery valve. there's some other little details too, like the Zwienen one actually has the reducer in there and the pipes are vertically aligned.
  • Kevin_McCarthy
    Kevin_McCarthy Member Posts: 6
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    Can anyone identify this part ( possibly steam trap ) on the low side of a two pipe steam radiator ? The home was built around 1903 - 1910. Each radiator does have a valve on the High side. No vents on the radiators. There are air vents at the ends of both sides of the supply runs in the basement.


  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
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    I'd say a water seal also. Are there any original radiator shutoff valves, or devices in the basement piping near the boiler? If so, are there names on them? Where is this located?
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    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
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  • Kevin_McCarthy
    Kevin_McCarthy Member Posts: 6
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    Thank you for the replies. After doing the research they have been properly identified as a Richardson water seal. Each radiator does have a valve on the supply side as well. Now I am looking for a schematic of the design to ensure the system is installed as was intended. Thank you in advance
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,424
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    That is a Richardson return elbow, and while that particular version isn’t listed in the lost art, the concept is the same. Here is a short video I made on it. There’s also a ball that sits in there to prevent back pressure which I didn’t video. 

  • Kevin_McCarthy
    Kevin_McCarthy Member Posts: 6
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    Do the Richardson water seals need to be serviced / replaced ?
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,424
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    @My570, the ball has no “exact” location and I honestly do think this version was made for ease of service. 
  • Kevin_McCarthy
    Kevin_McCarthy Member Posts: 6
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    Looking for three of the Richardson water seals to put the system back to spec this spring / summer.
    If anyone has a source please pass it on
  • Kevin_McCarthy
    Kevin_McCarthy Member Posts: 6
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    Looking for three of the Richardson water seals to put the system back to spec this spring / summer.
    If anyone has a source please pass it on

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