Cast Iron Steam baseboard

tonyp22

Hi,

The Air Valve vent is rusted, and I can not screw in the air value.



plumber #1 suggest I replace the entire baseboard.



plumber #2 is suggesting to re-thread air value vent.



I would like to get some other suggestions or to see what's best. If we re-thread will it just blow off again?



Separately, the banging is extremely loud on this same baseboard. Will pitching it help? We have another baseboard thats leaking small amounts of steam even though we've replace the valve. Any suggestions?



Thanks

Rod

Baseboard.

Hi- Generally you can re thread the air vent hole to the net largest pipe size and then bush it back down to the size you need. I would use a red brass "bronze" reducer bushing.

Make sure there is adequate pitch (slope)  so that the condensate (water) will flow back to the boiler. (It doesn't have to be much)  If there is a valve on the steam pipe going into the baseboard, make sure it is fully open. Having it have way open will cause "banging".

- Rod