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Barnes and Jones Traps

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ACS
ACS Member Posts: 6
in Strictly Steam

i have steam in the return and am trying to isolate the traps that are causing this issue. trying to determine whether this one trap is bad. structurally in great condition but just not sure if it is "failed." anyone have thoughts based on the 3 photos below? THANK YOU!

IMG_2694.jpeg IMG_2695.jpeg IMG_2696.jpeg

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,137

    Without actually testing it — does it close against steam, but open to allow water to flow — I doubt that one can tell. They're inexpensive. You've got it out of there — just replace it.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 19,994

    If you have traps there are several ways to test, infrared testers, ultrasonic testers, temperature, sound etc.

    All these methods work but the tools cost $$$ and trap parts don't cost much.

    Most large buildings with a lot of traps (like a university dorms) they find it cheaper not to test and just do a trap program and they rebuild all there traps on a schedule.

    This is not necessary in a house as the traps last longer but I would just go through the traps and rebuild them all.

    Barnes and Jones and Tunstall Assoc. are you best sources

  • markmarlatt
    markmarlatt Member Posts: 71
    edited February 12

    My test method; if pipe after trap is as warm as the radiator, trap is failed open :)

    I've also put a label on all my new 122A Barnes & Jones traps with a 'change by date' as I replaced all my traps this year and rather than guess when, I know when. I'll still check every trap each year at system startup, but at the very least the internals will be changed every 5 years.

    mattmia2
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 16,242

    it take some investigating. if it is hot after the trap the steam could be coming from a failed trap at another radiator (or failed crossover trap or a piping issue) or it could be coming from the trap at that radiator being failed. you could get some idea by feeling where the radiator is hot and where it is cold. if it seems the steam is coming from the return and much of the radiator in the middle is cold then it is likely coming from a different source. If the radiator is hot all the way across then it could be that trap that is bad. Remember that the steam rises to the top of the radiator so even if the steam is coming in through the return it will heat at the top of the return end first, not at the bottom where the return is. You can try turning off the valve on radiators that you suspect have a bad trap and see if that gets rid of the steam in the return or if that radiator starts heating from the return end even with the valve closed. Observing what happens if you open the valve during a cycle after closing it before the cycle begins can also let you observe how the steam is progressing in to that radiator, if it is coming from the supply or the return or both and if it stops when it gets to the return.

    4GenPlumber

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