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Return Pipe Valve

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markmarlatt
markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
in Strictly Steam

I have a 2 pipe steam system and I have this valve located at the end of the return lines above the boiler:

IMG_0684.jpeg

Should this valve be open or closed?

image.jpg

The left most pipe in this picture is the pipe where both of the return lines tie into.

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,721

    Looks like some type of manual bleeder

  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28

    Agreed. Not sure if a 2 pipe system is suppose to have vent or vents on the return pipes? Seems to me the returns job is to get water back to the boiler and therefore not need venting, is that accurate?

  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,739
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880068#Comment_1880068

    no. the emitters vent through the returns in most 2 pipe systems. in many cases the returns can be open to the atmosphere if everything is operating properly.

  • reggi
    reggi Member Posts: 536

    Unless you have a old Vapor system and that Valve was part of the system that vented the whole system... What Radiator valves are on there and whats on the radiator outlets? What about main venting ?

    One way to get familiar something you know nothing about is to ask a really smart person a really stupid question
  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28

    Have control valves on each radiator inlet and steam traps on each radiator outlet. I have a Gorton #2 at the end of each of the steam mains:

    IMG_0568.jpeg

    All traps are being changed out with new Barnes and Jones 122A traps on 1/2/2026.

  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
    IMG_6457.jpeg IMG_6456.jpeg
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 15,739

    that valve looks like a gas cock with 2 flare outlet connections, like steam was coming out because of bad traps and someone shoved that on there to stop the steam

    Intplm.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,884
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880068#Comment_1880068

    No.. The dry return's job is to get condensate AND AIR back to the boiler. All the air in the radiators and, in some systems, the mains, goes to the returns and then is vented near the boiler. You need good big vents at that location!

    In some very old two pipe systems, there was no vent at the boiler — simply an open pipe to the atmosphere, but with good high capacity vents (Gorton #2, Hoffman #75 and the like) almost all systems did get vents there.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 28
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1880100#Comment_1880100

    My system has a Gorton #2 at the end of each of the steam mains, but no vent on the return save for the valve in my first picture. When I said water back to the boiler, I meant condensate or steam that has returned to liquid form.

    I am having all the steam traps at the radiators swapped on Friday with new Barnes and Jones 122A traps as the current traps look to be 20+ years old and I'd wager some of them aren't working 100%.

    I am one of two houses in my town of 6500 people that has a steam boiler for primary heat. I've linked up with the other home owner and we've found a contractor out of Denver, CO who will come up for maintenance and such on our steam systems, we split the trip charges which is nice.

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 26,884

    Put a good big vent on the return where that valve is. At least one Gorton #2. You may be surprised at how much you needed it….

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    markmarlatt

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