Repair or Replace Radiator?

John_219

Thank you for taking time to read my post. I am seeking help with regard to my cast iron radiator. The thread for the steam release valve is corroded/stripped and thus the radiator is not being used. Is it possible to plug and drill a new hole? What are my options? What would/should a service charge be for such a repair, if possible?

Al Hendrickson_18

Bushing

It should be pretty simple to drill it out and tap it for the next size up . . . 1/4" NPT and then use a standard black pipe reducing bushing to adapt it back to the 1/8" NPT vent. All of these items could be had at any hardware store. You'd need a 7/16" drill, a 1/4" nominal pipe tap, a $.50 bushing and about ten minutes. If you're not up to doing it yourself, it should be a fairly minimal service call.

Last week I had to drill and tap my own vent hole in an old radiator formerly used for hot water. I grabbed the wrong drill bit and drilled the hole too big. (I really need to wear my bifocals in the shop.) I wound up doing exactly as described above.

If your radiator is a "Slenderized' unit, and has tubes about the diameter of your pinkie, drilling it oversized might be a problem. In that case, a good tech should be able to install a pipe plug into the existing hole, perhaps sealing it in with a high temperature amide/epoxy product like J-B Weld, and make you a new tapping right above it. Or, maybe the existing hole could be cleaned and coated with J-B Weld and re-tapped. J-B Weld is good up to 500 degrees and does some amazing stuff. I guy I work with used it to make a "temporary" repair to the engine block of his farm tractor over ten years ago. It's still holding.

Also, pipe threads are tapered. If the existing hole is not stripped or corroded too badly, it MIGHT even be possible to just re-tap it a little deeper and screw the vent in a little further . . . maybe not, but it would be worth a try.

John_219

thank you

I appreciate you taking time to respond to my request. Very helpful information, thank you!

Gina

Radiator valves

I have the old fashioned radiators and the landlord built the wooden casings with the decorative metal grates around them so they are not visible. Unfortunately the heat is controlled by the building and it is either on or off dependant upon the temperature outside and therefore my apartment is like a sauna. I have to keep all the windows open and fans going to make it bearable - I'm not far off from running the A/C! Is there a way to switch out the valves somehow so that I can turn a specific radiator off if I would like? Thank you.

Al Hendrickson_19

I think that windows are sometimes referred to as "double hung zone control valves."

Seriously, you should have some control over your radiator. There are valves under that radiator cover, and depending on whether you have hot water, two-pipe steam, or single pipe steam, the ways to dial the heat back are different.

I'd suggest that you find out what kind of heat you have and start a new topic to get more attention to your question. In the meantime, you could throw a blanket or comforter over the radiator. Even steam won't get hot enough to catch it on fire. (It's kind of like cooking with a double boiler.) If you trap the heat under a blanket, the rest of the room stays cooler.

Gina

Thank you for the suggestion - I will find out more about the type of heat and try to post a question again.

Dave Stroman

We also have those radiators and they only get hot about half way up. We know in the past some had a valve to release the air...we cannot find it on these ones, can someone tell me were its located?

Our landlord also controls them (from the house next door!) so during winter its freeeezing in here