Need a little advice about my steam radiators

Krista_2

It is a one-pipe steam boiler system. The connection problem I am having is the lock nut attached to the radiator (which does not look like I can take off if the threads are stripped without possibly doing damage to the rad) does not fit on the 1 1/2 nipple that came with the valve. I'm kind of lost on where to go next. I'm afraid of trying to take off the "lock nut" from the rad because if it does break I'm kind of screwed with the rad as this is my main rad in the house.

Krista

Steam Radiator Help

First, last February I moved a radiator to the second floor to put heat on that floor. I'm having issues with hammer, I know I have a pitch problem (not that much of a problem though) could the fact that the return pipe is more than 10 feet vertical a problem? Second question, we put in a new kitchen floor and remove the old valve and replaced it with a new one. Same size, I did double check that, but when I tried to attach the radiator, the nut won't catch. To double check the size, I tried a 1 1/2" nut (would not catch, btw that's the valve size), and a 2" nut which is too big. Now, I know they don't make 1 3/4" iron pipe, so what is my problem? I can't figure it out.

Timco

typically when changing a valve, the nipple that threads into the rad needs to be changed as well. These can be very hard to get out, and require a spud wrench and some good luck. They (the old nipple) can be removed if it breaks off, but that can be hard as well. As for the hammer, the vert run is not an issue...is it 1 or 2 pipe steam? traps? what pressure are you running at? All factors in helping.

Tim

Timco

I should mention the new valve should have come with the needed nipple for the rad. the threads sometimes match, and sometimes do not.

Timco

The nut that is attached to the radiator comes off with the tailpiece as well. A special wrench fits into the tailpiece and it unthreads, and the nut comes off with it. Some prefer to cut the nut off with a grinder, and use a pipe-wrench to remove the tailpiece. These tailpieces are NOT typically easy to get off. The new valve you bought certainly should have come with the new nut & tailpiece, which will threrad into the rad fine. A picture of the rad / valve will help. As for the hammer, what pressure are you running? You should be around 1psi or maybe less..

Tim