New to steam

rohan_1794 · December 2025

We have a Weil-McLain SGO-6 245 Input MBtu 85% AFUE Steam Oil Boiler, the steam system uses two pipes to each radiator. Some of the radiators do not get heat. The radiators are using two types of valves on the outlets. Some are Richardson and some are Spirax Sarco Thermostatic Steam Trap. I am only starting to learn this environment, my father was the one who used to take care of it but he has passed.

I have attached some photo of the boilers, some fittings and so on.

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markmarlatt · December 2025

I've been told that steam traps should be replaced every 5-7 years. Replaced or new guts swapped in due to the nature of the bellows wearing out. I am currently having all my traps replaced with Barnes & Jones units to standardize brand and 'start anew' with traps being fresh.

When I purchased my home, the steam system had 0 vents on the mains, or rather where the vents were was plugged. I had Gorton #2 vents added back to the end of each of the steam mains. That greatly reduced the amount of time it took for my radiators to get hot.

I am down to only one radiator not heating, its the one furthest from the boiler and I believe its steam trap is failed shut. After this Friday I'm hoping that radiator will be back to life.

Welcome to steam, it certainly is a journey, I came from prior houses with either electric baseboard or forced air heat and steam heat has been a difficult journey, but it did make the house purchase a lot cheaper because no one wanted to deal with the steam system!