Replacing loop seal on my return?

kacrejamReturns · September 13

I have a wet loop seal/water seal right near the end of my steam main. The loop is leaking a bit and i think i should replace. Should i consider using a steam trap or just replace kind for kind?

Jamie Hall · September 13

Just replace it.

Steamhead · September 13

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1903768#Comment_1903768

Agreed. Why add moving parts? The Dead Men didn't need a trap there………..

EBEBRATT-Ed · September 13

I agree don't mess up something that works. loop seals work well. If you replace piping below the water line copper is ok if it is easier.

mattmia2 · September 14

the crossover trap is only a trap instead of fittngs because it needs to be able to vent air out of the main in to the return.

109A_5 · September 14

I'd just repair it. However if you get ambitious you could set up the bottom so it is more serviceable with better clean out capability.

kacrejamReturns · September 14

Thanks all, very much appreciate. I will replace and try to make it more serviceable.

Steamhead · September 14

@kacrejamReturns , serviceability can be something as simple as a ball-valve boiler drain at the bottom, which would let you flush dirt out.

STEAM DOCTOR · September 18

Replace. Like for like. If this was my job, I would definitely use copper. Won't accumulate sludge like steel and iron. Use brass in between the copper and the steel

Mad Dog_2 · September 18

We always install a Gate Valve with a tee and 3/4" Boiler drain below the water line, whether its the Hartford Loop or a loop seal (install one on each leg) Its the best way to be able to blow out and Muddy Splunck that congeals at all the low points of a Steam system. We will use a ball valve in a pinch, but the Teflon ring inside them dont hold up long in the superhot steam condensate. Mad Dog

simon_skove · September 26

Is it advisable to take apart the loop just to service it …I am pretty sure the two loops on my two pipe system have never been cleaned.

Thanks.

Mad Dog_2 · September 26

Screenshot_20260926_072447_Gallery.jpg

If you do them like this, you can power-flush 'em out down the road, and the mud and splunck have no chance to collect. Mad Dog

Jamie Hall · September 26

first place, there isn't that much condensate involved, and second place the condensate is basically distilled water. If you have mjor surging or a way overfilled boiler at some point, maybe…

EBEBRATT-Ed · September 26

Or just use two unions. You can take the whole thing off to clean it.

kacrejamReturns · October 4

I needed to add a third union. Thought to share the horror of the sludge i found during replacement!!

109A_5 · October 4

Now you see first hand why clean outs help with system performance. Although that is probably many many years of accumulation.

Thanks for the pictures !!!

simon_skove · October 9

Is it advisable to take apart the loop just to service it …I am pretty sure the two loops on my two pipe system have never been cleaned.

Thanks.

Jamie Hall · October 10

If it's easy to do — nice unions or blowoff valves or somesuch, there's no harm. Otherwise… I wouldn't touch it unless I had a very good idea there as a real problem, like significant water hammer on that main…

EBEBRATT-Ed · October 10

That sludge would be completely normal for the amount of time the loop seal has been there. Probably the entire life of the heating system. You should only have to clean the piping below the boiler water line. There shouldn't be any sludge above the water line

Mad Dog_2 · October 10

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1905962#Comment_1905962

Exactly Ed, thats why any chance I get and all new installations get Tees instead of elbows and a 3/4" Boiler drain. A gate valve if possible. This saves hours and hours on flushing and cleaning. Mad Dog

kacrejamReturns · October 14

Well this is what i did. Hopefully is better than before. There was indeed a lot of water hammer and essentially sludge all the way to the ceiling. btw, in the background you can see the sealed off old central "district" steam line supply.

mattmia2 · October 14

make sure where those drips connect together is well below the water line or you can get steam or air flowing through them, closing a vent on a different main before it has finished venting or colliding with water and causing hammer.

mattmia2 · October 14

or is that a water seal between mains where it goes down then back up to a higher return?

Mad Dog_2 · October 15

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1906406#Comment_1906406

Looks great. As Mattmia says, check your system water level to keep the tees submerged. One other thing.... stick a plug is the bottom of each ball valve when you're all done. We dont wanna see Homeowners stacking boxes, exuberant dogs and curious kids inadvertently opening them. Mad Dog

EBEBRATT-Ed · October 16

Nice Job.

Replacing loop seal on my return?

Comments

Categories