These were the first mass-produced homes. Built after World War II, they all had hydronic radiant heating systems. Note the way they laid the tubing right on the ground, and used two-by-fours to hold it in place. When the wood rotted, the slab had a perfect place to crack, and that would be right where the copper tubes passed through. Today, these homes sell for more than $500,000. Contractors who work on the Levittown systems tell me that only about 15 percent of the original radiant systems are still working.
The Improved Webster Type "R" System of Steam Heating is a service bulletin from Warren Webster and Company (The Pioneers of Vacuum Steam Heating), established in 1888.
This manual was created by O-E Specialty Manufacturing Co. and outlines how to install the "O-E" Perfect System, which is a Vapor Vacuum heating system.
Here is the original Installation and Operating Instructions and Parts List for The H.B. Smith Company's Oil Fired Cast Iron Hot Water Boilers (No. OHB-13W). This is esti...