How best to completely shut off steam radiator?

brians

The first floor of my house is consistently 5 degrees warmer than the second floor. I have the smallest available air vents (Gorton 4s) on every radiator on the first floor and a combination of Gorton 6s and Cs on the second floor. Even with the Gorton 4s on the first floor radiators, those radiators still heat up too quickly and trigger the thermostat to shut off the boiler, so I would like to completely shut off some of the first floor radiators. What is the best way to do this? I've tried closing the supply valves, but the radiator will still eventually get hot which makes me think that steam is still getting in there. What if I turned the air vent upside down essentially keeping the vent permanently closed -- would that do the trick? Any suggestions are helpful. Thanks.

TomM

valve

your hand valve is probably not shutting all the way. 

Yes you can flip the air vent upside down, and it will stay shut, not allowing steam into the rad.  I used hoffman 1A variable air vent in my bedroom (i like cold sleep), and you can throttle them really low.  Or you could use a thermostatic radiator vent, and/or move the thermostat.   

Rod

Several Options

Hi- There are lots of ways to go. You can use a TRV or use a Vent-Rite #1 vent which is an adjustable vent and has a full off position. You can turn the vent upside down though that tends to wear things out after a while. What I did on a couple of back wall radiators I wanted to shut off was to install a 1/8 inch ball valve between the vent and the radiator. You can probably get them at any hydraulic or plumbing store. I got mine from Mc Master Carr

http://www.mcmaster.com/#        Part # 4912K71 

- Rod

nicholas bonham-carter

turning radiators off with vents

that should work, as a temporary work around; however don't think that you have fixed the problem.

i suspect you don't have enough main venting, and too much radiator venting.--nbc

kevin_58

shut off rad

Are the steam pipes in the basement insulated?  If not, they heat up the basement witch radiates to 1st floor, and 2nd floor will be cooler.

brians

How best to completely shut off steam radiator?

Thanks to everyone. Some good information here. I'll see what I can do.