Posted by Harold Kestenholz - Hydronic Network on July 11, 2001 at 22:17:14:
In Reply to: Steam baseboard heating posted by Ronald Kuoppala on July 11, 2001 at 20:48:31:
Use black pipe all the way. Soldered joints do not do well in expanding and contracting steam units. Copper is also subject to acidic condensate corrosion at the interface of air, water, and steam. There is also the question of galvanic action between the ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Threaded joints permit the pipe to move.
The vent may be alright immediately at the end of the baseboard, but a riser would keep it away from splashes, dirt, and potential damage from a water hammer. This is the same precaution used for the main steam vent in the basement.
The water trap will also prevent steam from forcing air the wrong way in the return, potentially blocking proper heating of some other radiators.