Confused about my valve.

steamed_out

Hello and thank you in advance for your help!
i live in an apartment in New York where I do not have much control over the overall heating system. We live on the top (6th) floor of our building. There is a hot pole in the Bathroom that has a valve on it. The valve was continuously blowing steam so we contacted the super. He sent a plumber who put a new valve on. The new valve was worse! It continued to hiss constantly and spray even wetter air on the ceiling and wear away the paint within a day. 

Any advice on this situation would be appreciated. We have told the super and landlord about this and suggested that it may be a problem that goes beyond our valve, but have not heard back.
in the meantime we turned over the valve and it stopped making sound completely. The system still appears to work and the pole is still getting hot. 

I guess my main question is: is this dangerous? But also any other advice on the matter would be appreciated.
thank you so much 💌💌💌

Jamie Hall

Not really dangerous... no. But annoying. And the fundamental problem is, indeed, beyond your control -- too much pressure at the boiler. Probably way too much pressure.

That hot pole is a pipe with steam in it, called a riser.

If the room is warm enough, I'd just leave the valve -- it's called, technically, a steam vent -- turned over and call it good...

pecmsg

In the middle of the winter the extra humidity is a good thing.

Can you take pics of this valve?

steamed_out

Thank you so much for your quick response! It is really and truly appreciated. We hope that the building does something to address the underlying issue but...you know how they are. Thank you again- you made our day

steamed_out

This was obviously from before we turned it upside down

pecmsg

That's an Air Vent. Used to allow the air to escape and steam to get to that point. Obviously defective or a major issue with the steam in the building.

Pic of the water in a email to the building management should get results. Especially with Are you going to be responsible for any mold growth from this?

steamed_out

Thanks pecsmg 
you would think so...I’ve lived here since 2012, I don’t think they’re actually going to fix this issue based on past experiences. Pretty sure our only option is to move out or accept these conditions.

In the meantime water started dripping out of the vent. It’s at least better because it can be collected on the floor instead of blasting and destroying the ceiling 🥴

pecmsg

I might be wrong but is you turn that vent up is shuts down!

Also think its the wrong style vent but i may be wrong.

Jamie Hall

Actually for what they want, a plug might do just as well...