smell from cast iron steam radiator

jmarx

Hi all,

I'm in NYC, in a pre-war 28 unit 4 floor apartment building. I'm on the second floor and have a cast iron steam radiator in my bedroom and in the living room. Both units are giving off a terrible smell, as though something died when the steam/air is moving through the system. when the system is closed, there is no smell. I am the only apartment reporting a smell. My super says he has flushed the line and it made a small difference. I've poured vinegar into the air valves which also reduced the smell though now everything smells a bit rusty as well as the original smell. My super brought in a plumber who said it's because the valve on the bedroom unit is retaining water and advised my super to replace the valve, which solved nothing. My super has since put some vinegar into the boiler as well, hoping to clean out the lines. What are some other options I might explore? Is it worth hiring someone to come in and take a look? If so, any recommendations in NYC?

nicholas bonham-carter

The super is merely shortening the life of the boiler by putting vinegar into the system.
It is likely that someone has put a “stop-leak” solution into the boiler, and so it is a systemwide problem, even though you say that no one else has reported a smell.
A steam expert is definitely called for here.
Use the find a contractor button here, or call JohnNY from here, (he will need access to the boiler room).—NBC

dopey27177

Has your apartment been painted recently?
Or, Has radiator been painted recently?

If the radiator has been painted before the heating season started it is more than likely that is the source of the odor.

Jake

jmarx

Nothing has been painted recently. When I ask my neighbors if anything smells, they all say no.

Erin Holohan Haskell

This may help: https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/reasons-why-theres-a-bad-odor-coming-from-the-system-and-where-to-look-for-solutions/