Radiator stays hot when closed.

kurdt

So I just moved into an apartment building that uses old cast iron radiators. there is only one valve on the left of the radiator that says 'open' with an arrow going counter clockwise. It had got really cold, naturally being in Canada, so I opened the valve to fill up with hot water. I closed the valve after 30 sec and it is still very hot after weeks of initially opening it. Now, the radiator in my bedroom, is boiling hot on the right side and warm on the left where the valve is, of which I have never opened. How do I turn the heat off, I can't sleep because it's a thousand degrees!

Fred

Is this a steam system, not hot water? Is that correct? Is there a vent mounted on the left side of the radiator, opposite the valve? If so, it is a one pipe steam system. Turn that vent upside down. That will prevent air from escaping and steam from getting into the radiator. Many, if not most of those old radiator valves don't shut off anymore. After you turn the vent upside down, open the valve all the way open again and leave it that way. That will allow any condensate in the radiator to drain back to the boiler.

kurdt

> @Fred said:
> Is this a steam system, not hot water? Is that correct? Is there a vent mounted on the left side of the radiator, opposite the valve? If so, it is a one pipe steam system. Turn that vent upside down. That will prevent air from escaping and steam from getting into the radiator. Many, if not most of those old radiator valves don't shut off anymore. After you turn the vent upside down, open the valve all the way open again and leave it that way. That will allow any condensate in the radiator to drain back to the boiler.

I don't see anything on it that I can turn upside down. Here are some pictures, although the only thing I can play with is the 'open' valve.

kurdt

https://ibb.co/fqGVka
https://ibb.co/eXXgrF
https://ibb.co/mUeGQa
https://ibb.co/nonQJv
https://ibb.co/ce0edv
https://ibb.co/kXAO5a

Steamhead

That's a Vapor system. Sounds like the shutoff valve isn't holding. I'd be willing to bet the steam pressure in this system is running way too high, and that's keeping the valve from closing tightly.

Jamie Hall

Steamhead said:

That's a Vapor system. Sounds like the shutoff valve isn't holding. I'd be willing to bet the steam pressure in this system is running way too high, and that's keeping the valve from closing tightly.

To which I will add -- if the pressure is too high, as is very likely, it doesn't take much of a leak across the valve to allow the radiator to heat just splendidly.

nicholas bonham-carter

So the answer is, contact the management, and ask them about the maintenance of the system. They are wasting a lot of fuel by not paying attention to the pressure. Direct them here for answers to any questions they may have.--NBC

JUGHNE

If the side of the rad without the valve is getting hot, then you may have steam coming up your return line thru the trap device into the radiator.
There should be no steam in the return line, the small pipe. Steam is kept out of the return pipes by traps of which some could be failed and allowing your rad to over heat even with the valve closed.
Also many unknowingly turn the pressure on the boiler too high which may keep some tenants happy and overheat others.
This situation is costing the landlord a lot of money, he needs a pro to check the system out.....you have to spend a little to save a lot.

MilanD

In the meantime, throw a blanket on the radiator, or a part of it, or get some cardboard or Styrofoam and fashion out a cover.