Steam Valve

mmc239

I have a steam shut off valve on my steam baseboard that has a broken knob. Is it ok to use a plier to turn the stem to open and close it?

pecmsg

Sure, until it gets rounded out and is useless.

Knobs are still available.

Proper Open-end wrench will work.

I've used my refrigeration ratchet wrench when needed.

bburd

Is this one pipe or two pipe steam?

If one pipe that is a service valve only, not for regulating the heat; it must be either fully open or fully closed. Heat is regulated by controlling the air vent at the other end of the rad.

If this is a two pipe system that may be a throttling valve, but it won't last long if adjusted frequently.

mmc239

It is a one pipe. I don’t think it is fully open. Just trying to get it that way.

bburd

What problem are you having with the performance of the system that leads you to want to mess with the valve?

mmc239

I get a lot of banging and water spitting out of air vent. Makes believe it’s not draining back to boiler correctly.

bburd

Baseboard can be problematic on steam systems.

The easiest thing to check is the pitch; the baseboard should pitch toward the supply valve so condensate can run back that way.

A slower vent may help by reducing the rated which the baseboard produces condensate.

The supply valve needs to be fully open. Sometimes the internal parts fail and block the flow of steam and/or return of condensate causing the symptoms you Have. You would have to look inside the valve by removing the bonnet or disconnecting it from the baseboard to check, which would have to be done when the boiler is off and not likely to be restarted soon.

mmc239

Does anyone know what size this shut off valve is and how difficult it is to replace?

EdTheHeaterMan

It looks about > ... < this big.
But it could be <...........>this big
Perhaps a picture with a reference next to it (like a ruler or a silver dollar) might help

mmc239

Valves

EdTheHeaterMan

hope this helps with the size.
As far as how easy it is to take apart to replace... It looks like it was done in the past by the looks of that wall behind the cover.

You will need to take the SPUD off also, unless you can find the identical valve (not Likely) the union nut threads will not match up with the new valve.

Big Ed_4

From here it looks like a 1"x1.25"

EdTheHeaterMan

My guess is that you have some commercial baseboard radiators with 1-1/4" steel IPS with fins. So that valve is probably 1-1/4"
\https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-RVST125-1-1-4-FIP-x-Male-Union-Steam-Angle-Radiator-Valve and you will want to get this wrench https://www.supplyhouse.com/Bluefin-RVSW-2-Radiator-Valve-Spud-Wrench?_br_psugg_q=radiator+spud+wrench

EBEBRATT-Ed

@EdTheHeaterMan

What's wrong ? X-ray vision not working today?

mmc239

What the hell are you talking about? X Ray vision? 

EdTheHeaterMan

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

@EdTheHeaterMan

What's wrong ? X-ray vision not working today?

Some days you get the bear, some days the bear gets you!

EdTheHeaterMan

I think it is the same size at this other comment https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/195868/steam-valve
What is the chance that there are two people with the same exact valve?

I hope this guy has the same sense of humor

Erin Holohan Haskell

@mmc239, I've merged your duplicate posts into one here to prevent confusion. Thanks.