Steam Radiator valve is letting off steam....

branimal

I took a closer look and the thing is duct taped/plastic bagged together. WTF!!

I watched a video on how to replace the valve. I have a couple of questions

1. Can i use a sawzall instead of a hack saw to remove the damaged valve? I'll hammer and chisel off after the cut.
2. What type of valve should I replace with?

thanks....

Jamie Hall

Lovely, Sawzall, hack saw... angle grinder. Whatever works.

You must use a steam radiator valve to replace. Others trap condensate and cause water hammer. They come with a matching spud (joined by a union) which goes into the radiator -- and you must use that matching spud and none other, which means you also have to get the old spud out of the radiator, which can be a bit difficult.

nicholas bonham-carter

Is the existing valve not fixable?—NBC

Danny Scully

Can you see the picture @nicholas bonham-carter? I’ve seen a lot of advice lately on leaving old valves and trying to repair, whether it’s an issue with the height or just “too hard”...We change these valves everyday. It’s time for a new valve @branimal. Sawsall is perfectly fine. If you have the guts , just try to back it off with a 2ft or 3ft wrench. This is always my first approach, although I would try and brace the piping in the floor somehow.

luketheplumber

I need a backstory on this renovation the how old is the building?

luketheplumber

replace it with a pot belly valve DO NOT GET A CHEAP VALVE or you will need to replace it again in 5 years and yes go for the sawzall just don't cut too deep

neilc

am I missing something?
why can't we get 2 wrenches on this?

nicholas bonham-carter

I can see the picture, but with the tape, not enough to tell whether it’s fixable or not. For you as a pro, with a replacement valve on your truck, it’s easier, and more expedient to put in a new one.
For the homeowner, it’s not so easy, and so if it can be fixed with some new packing, or a reseating of the Union nut, I say fix it.—NBC

Steamhead

neilc said:

am I missing something?
why can't we get 2 wrenches on this?

2 wrenches and some heat should unscrew it.

branimal

luketheplumber said:

I need a backstory on this renovation the how old is the building?

100 year old 3 family in Brooklyn NY. Gutting it floor by floor.

branimal

Thanks guys, I'm going to wait for a mild day, shut off the boiler and replace the valve. Picked up a replacement valve from HD.

ethicalpaul

Only 100? Looks like a nice project! Are those fittings galvanized or just dusty?

branimal

Upon close inspection looks like I can install a threaded cap over the male threads pictured. I wonder how much in heating costs this leak caused me. 😒

Jamie Hall

You may find that finding .a cap with the correct threads is harder than it looks -- those threads are half of a union, rather than NPT.

delta T

I would be surprised if you couldn't just remove that valve with wrenches, have you tried? The you can replace the valve or cap it off. As @Jamie Hall says, those threads are specific to a union nut. If you find a cap that fits I will be surprised, if you can then get it to actually seal, I will be astounded. The valve is made of brass, the pipe steel, usually not to hard to get them off even after 100 years....

ethicalpaul

I don’t think it cost you anything in heating costs—the heat still went into the house. Just maybe in make-up water oxidation cost to your boiler.

Gary Smith

Easiest temporary to seal that open valve is with a wood block, short piece of 2x4, and a c-clamp