How to remove steam radiator valve

yafirst

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.

JStar

The odds of the radiator needing to be cleaned are very slim. Chances are that the air vent is not working correctly.

Steamhead

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.

icesailor

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

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

yafirst

We've changed the air vent: it didn't help. Same story with the ball pen. Here is another picture. Thank you everyone!

yafirst

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

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

Paul48

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

KC_Jones

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.

icesailor

The radiator is pitched. Someone probably removed the vent because it leaked.

nicholas bonham-carter

It probably has a water system vent on it, and needs a proper one pipe system radiator vent.--NBC

Abracadabra

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

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

I'd almost bet they are turning the union nut backwards.

icesailor

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.

homer2101

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

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.