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How to remove steam radiator valve

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yafirst
yafirst Member Posts: 3
in THE MAIN WALL
We bought a house recently and one of the radiators is always cold. We tried to remove it to clean, but we haven't been able to remove the valve: it's stuck. I'd appreciate any tips on how it can be removed. Thank you in advance for all help.

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  • JStar
    JStar Member Posts: 2,752
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    The odds of the radiator needing to be cleaned are very slim. Chances are that the air vent is not working correctly.
    RobG
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,842
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    Either that, or this radiator is all the way at the end of the main, and the main vent is either missing or too small.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    Stand about 5 or 6 feet away and give a photo of the entire radiator. Top to bottom and one end to the other. Including pipe connections.
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    Before going any further with that nut I would follow the suggestions above and look underneath to see if the piping has the correct slope so water can find it's way back to the boiler.

    That valve looks like it's been there a long time and it probably has multiple coats of paint sealing it pretty good. if you get too rambunctious you could snap that nut. Have you tried rapping the nut with ball peen to see if vibration might free it?

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • yafirst
    yafirst Member Posts: 3
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    We've changed the air vent: it didn't help. Same story with the ball pen. Here is another picture. Thank you everyone!
  • yafirst
    yafirst Member Posts: 3
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    Bob, I am also thinking that the multiple coats of paint prevent us from moving the nut. Is there a trick to remove all this paint?
  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    Have you tried tightening that nut, sometimes that works to break the seal? Then you could probably back it off.

    Anything that would remove that paint would ruin the rug and the wall.

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
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    Where's the vent on that radiator? I don't see it in the picture.
    KC_Jonesjonny88
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,739
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    Paul48 said:

    Where's the vent on that radiator? I don't see it in the picture.

    Same first thought I had, I don't see one either.
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    The radiator is pitched. Someone probably removed the vent because it leaked.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    It probably has a water system vent on it, and needs a proper one pipe system radiator vent.--NBC
  • Abracadabra
    Abracadabra Member Posts: 1,948
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    Paul48 said:

    Where's the vent on that radiator? I don't see it in the picture.

    KC_Jones said:

    Paul48 said:

    Where's the vent on that radiator? I don't see it in the picture.

    Same first thought I had, I don't see one either.
    Ding.. ding.. ding... we have a winner! Funny thing is the OP said they changed the vent. I'm wondering now what they actually replaced. ;)
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    Probably went to HD with the old one and they gave them a coin vent to replace it with. The Sales Representative thinks that steam is a by-product of boiling water in a pot on the stove.

    And steam venting devices are far more money than a coin vent.
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
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    I'd almost bet they are turning the union nut backwards.
  • icesailor
    icesailor Member Posts: 7,265
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    Judging by the fact that there is no paint on the packing nut, I'll bet someone has futzed with in the past.

    When the steam pressure is off, back off the nut, all the way out, and give it the Kroil Treatment. Once the stem loosens up, there is probably nothing wrong with the valve. And a lack of an air vent.
    Mark_72
  • homer2101
    homer2101 Member Posts: 7
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    Would it be possible to get a photo of the new air vent on the radiator? Perhaps it's a trick of the light, but as others have said, it seems that there's no air vent, at least of the traditional sort. Typical steam systems require air vents on the mains and the radiators to let cold air out so that it can be displaced by the steam coming up from the boiler; without a working air vent on the side of the radiator opposite the steam pipe, cold air will just sit in the radiator and laugh at the steam trying to get in.

    Also, how far is this radiator from the boiler? Depending on distance from the boiler and rate at which the vent can let air out, it's possible that the thermostat is satisfied before steam can reach the radiator.

  • jonny88
    jonny88 Member Posts: 1,139
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    Call a plumber if you cant open union.If you are feeling adventerous and union wont open with a wrench you can open it with a hammer.Hit the knuckle of the union with hammer and it will open dont be afraid to hit it.

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