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Valve in line

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SLC
SLC Member Posts: 37
in Strictly Steam
Any idea why someone would put what looks like a water valve on a feed to a steam radiator?



If I take the cap off steam comes out, right after this valve (approx 5 ft) there is a radiator in the bathroom which doesn't heat up very well. This is approx 10ft off the main (2 inch).



Tag on top of stem says American Valve Fig 9.



Thanks for any help

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  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,282
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    People do very strange things...

    Is this valve in line with the radiator?  Or is it off on a T or something to one side?  Because if it is in line with the radiator which doesn't work very well, it could very well be part of the problem.  If one puts a valve on a steam line, it had best be a full port ball, or a full port gate, or an explicitly designed radiator valve.  Most other types of valves have some restriction to the flow -- which isn't a problem with water, but it most assuredly is with steam.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • SLC
    SLC Member Posts: 37
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    On a tee

    I believe its on a tee as the radiator past it does eventually heat up. The pipe is in a crawl space only about 12 inch high so I can't visually see the tee, so I'm just guessing. I just don't know what it's purpose is...Can't use it as drain. can't put a air valve there...can't figure it out
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