Leak between valve and radiator- what to do asap?!

bipbap

Hi all,
I got a radiator that is leaking, see photo- it’s at rhe spot where the radiator hooks up to the valve.
It’s leaking a good 1/2 cup a day.
What’s the problem you think?
And until I can get a plumber here, can I just shut off the valve to stop it leaking?
That room is always plenty warm even without the radiator.

It’s weird, this radiator has never had an issue before.
Thanks for any advice!

STEAM DOCTOR

Looks misaligned to me. Seems like right side of radiator is lower. Maybe floor cracked or sunk in a bit.

bipbap

Nothing really changed.
Are you saying it could be pitched the wrong way and that could cause it?

nicholas bonham-carter

You may be able to rotate the air vent, which will not allow steam to enter the radiator, to retard the leaking.
Most valves do not close all the way, so trapping more water inside.
The Union nut should be loosened, and the radiator pulled back. Then the mating faces should be cleaned of any debris. Finally, only a bit of dishwashing liquid should be put on the faces, and then retightened.
Do you have a pipe wrench?—NBC

bipbap

Ok let me try that.
It’s just strange because nothing changed to this radiator.

I am doing work on the lower floor and removed a few radiators while new walls and floors go in.
Is it possible that this work could affect this top floor radiator like maybe fewer radiators below could put more pressure on this one?

Jamie Hall

bipbap said:

Ok let me try that.

It’s just strange because nothing changed to this radiator.



I am doing work on the lower floor and removed a few radiators while new walls and floors go in.

Is it possible that this work could affect this top floor radiator like maybe fewer radiators below could put more pressure on this one?

Indeed it could. In fact, if the pipes are shared vertically, it is more than likely that your work on the pipes below shifted something. I agree that the union looks misaligned, which won't do. As @nicholas bonham-carter said, open the union and make sure both mating surfaces are clean and smooth. Then, when you go to put the radiator back, it must be aligned both horizontally and vertically -- not only lined up, but in a straight line. You may have to shim under the radiator to get it to do that -- just make sure that the valve end is lower than the other end (for a normal size radiator, and eighth of an inch is enough) and check it with a level -- don't rely on your eye. You should be able to push the union faces completely together by hand, just shoving on the radiator. Then tighten the union nut.

bipbap

Nothing on that vertical riser was moved or even anything close to it.
I was thinking the pressure in the pipes affected it since I removed other rads in the building.
I don’t believe anything physically moved it out of whack- I think this is how it’s always been.
Any other ideas?

Jamie Hall

There's not enough pressure in the pipes to affect that -- at least I certainly hope not.

I you don't care for the idea of undoing and reassembling the union correctly -- which I am pretty sure is where the leak is -- I don't have any other suggestions. Take you about 15 minutes to try it...

bipbap

Getting 15 minutes is the easy part.
Getting a really big wrench and not killing my back moving the thing is the hard part.

Gsmith

Know anyone with a wrench that would help you?

1Matthias

@bipbap You can get a wrench at a Harbor Freight for not that much if there's one near you. I think a 24" crescent is not that expensive and would probably work. Also wouldn't ding up the flats on the union.

nicholas bonham-carter

Using a spade, and a block of wood will make the move pretty easy. When you have the valve end of the rad clear of the floor, then rotate the handle, which will move that end of the rad a few inches away from the wall, and expose both surfaces of the valve/union spud.
Only missing element-the trip to harbor freight, or big box store, for the pipe wrench.—NBC

bipbap

Well thank you all for advice.
I didn’t do anything yet because of the holiday and now it has magically stopped leaking for the past couple days when it had been leaking a cup of water a day previously.
Aside from a Thanksgiving miracle, any explanation for that?

ChrisJ

bipbap said:

Well thank you all for advice.

I didn’t do anything yet because of the holiday and now it has magically stopped leaking for the past couple days when it had been leaking a cup of water a day previously.

Aside from a Thanksgiving miracle, any explanation for that?

If it was really cold and the system ran a lot the joint may have stayed hot, which helped it stay sealed.

It may only leak when things cool down and shrink.

brandonf

Check the pressure. It's easy. Also doesn't hurt to make sure the joint is straight n clean and throw a wrench on it...