Radiator Leak?

Couderay

Tom get someone, any one, when seen will know exactly what to do. Any leak small or real small needs to be addressed.

TomO

Radiator Leak?

I have 1 pipe steam and think I found a small leak in the radiator immediately above the boiler. There is a small wet spot on the carpet under the connection of the valve and radiator. I have two questions - 1. how do I fix this? Is it just a matter of tightening? I have a pipe wrench large enough to fit over the nut but it so close to the wall I can't really turn it. 2. I had to refill the boiler this last week. How much water could a small leak like this lose if the boiler is running in cold weather?

Jamie Hall

You'd be real surprised...

how much water a 'small' steam leak can lose! Because an awful lot of the steam goes into the air; what you see on the floor isn't the half of it.

That said, that's a union connection to the radiator. You can tighten them -- a big adjustable crescent is better than a pipe wrench, to avoid damaging the nut. There is a bit of a trick to it (isn't there always in plumbing?!) but the it shouldn't have to be that tight -- you don't have to reef on it.