Radiators leaking at the union

Big Ed_4

Use a little plumbers grease on the surface after cleaning with fine steel wool to help seat and make up any imperfections. Not too much just a light coat. You don't want to get in system

Tumbler

Radiators leaking at the union

I have two radiators leaking from where the radiator joins into the air valve. Is this an easy fix?
I am guessing that I need to get the two apart and clean out the connection, and reconnect with teflon tape around the threads.
Anything I need to know before I put wrench in hand?
Thanks,
Chris

bob young

STEAM OR HOT WATER ?

steam almost never leaks at that point, so there could be a unforseen cause. hot water make sure you drop the pressue& shut supply.-----lampwick & schmear on threads= no leaks. have at it.

Jamie Hall

if it really is a union

which it certainly should be... I have seen condensate drip from unions on steam systems where the union isn't together quite square, or drawn up quite tight. Do take it apart and clean it, but if the faces of the union are damaged you may have a bad time sealing it (I have been known to use red RTV silicone, but that's a kludge - if the faces are smooth, don't). Sometimes helps to wiggle the radiator just a bit when pulling the union together...

Tumbler

Radiator leaking at the union

Sorry for not specifying. The system is one pipe steam -

One of the radiators had been doing this for a while, and had been fixed when I had it taken off to repair the floor underneath it. Hoping that maybe the guy did not reconnect it very well, and that I may be able to get it to reseal.

If I can't fix it this weekend, the at least I saw some names for good steam guys in the providence area on another thread!

Chris

oil-2-4-6-gas

plumbers grease-- not just for faucets anymore

-wow i have been using that stuff for all kinds of sealing --the other day when i had to open a #7 quad check to seal it , a 009 backflow--had to clean the screen, pulled the domestic circ. --had no gasket the old 1 was in ok shape -used it to seal,used it today on a Holby mixing valve piston,2 days ago on a watts n170 mixing valve ,threads o-rings --mcdonnel miller #51 strainer gasket (had to clean the strainer)-- -I carry a lot of gaskets but you can never have every 1----heck this stuffs good for 300*