How to relocate the steam vent to the proper place

foresthillsjd

I have the tools to tap the spot I need on the radiator, but what’s the best way to plug the hole from the current steam vent location?  Should I get a little plug to fill the existing bushing or should I get a new big plug like the one at the bottom of the radiator?

Steamhead

Just get a 1/8" pipe plug and screw it in.

109A_5

Hello @foresthillsjd,

Yes I would just put in a small probably 1/8" pipe thread plug,

EdTheHeaterMan

This is a personal preference. If that radiator was in my home, since it looks like the bushing would come out easily, I would get a new full size plug. After the pipe joint compound set for a few weeks, I would clean off the excess with a wire brush at top and bottom plug and paint the plug the same color as the radiator.

If the other side is in the same condition, I would also brush away any excess pipe joint compound and paint the fitting up to the valve union nut. I might even polish the nut and valve if it is brass than put a coat of clear lacquer on the polished valve to preserve the shine.

I would not do that for a customer, because I charge too much and would not want them to get angry with the invoice for that service.

foresthillsjd

EdTheHeaterMan said:

This is a personal preference. If that radiator was in my home, since it looks like the bushing would come out easily, I would get a new full size plug. After the pipe joint compound set for a few weeks, I would clean off the excess with a wire brush at top and bottom plug and paint the plug the same color as the radiator. If the other side is in the same condition, I would also brush away any excess pipe joint compound and paint the fitting up to the valve union nut. I might even polish the nut and valve if it is brass than put a coat of clear lacquer on the polished valve to preserve the shine. I would not do that for a customer, because I charge too much and would not want them to get angry with the invoice for that service.

So in this case, it would be better to have you for a husband than a plumber. 😆

EdTheHeaterMan

foresthillsjd said:

So in this case, it would be better to have you for a husband than a plumber. 😆

Is this a proposal?

foresthillsjd

EdTheHeaterMan said:

So in this case, it would be better to have you for a husband than a plumber. 😆

Is this a proposal?

A good man is hard to find. A good man who knows steam systems is even rarer. But a good man who knows steam and is single… the rarest of them all! 😂😂😂

dko

You said you already have the tools to tap, but in the case you were trying to find a way to avoid it.. it should already be tapped and plugged on the other side. You could undo the connections and flip the radiator around. And, that varivalve is probably opened way too much.

If you are in Forest Hills, that radiator is most likely from OCS Industries. They have a secondary vendor they get radiators from that have a black primer like yours and they stink. Normally they should have a blueish primer. Just curious, have you noticed peculiar smells radiating from yours? I went Governale brand only because of it, so wondering if they ever fixed that issue.

EdTheHeaterMan

dko said:

You said you already have the tools to tap, but in the case you were trying to find a way to avoid it.. it should already be tapped and plugged on the other side. You could undo the connections and flip the radiator around. And, that varivalve is probably opened way too much.

If you are in Forest Hills, that radiator is most likely from OCS Industries. They have a secondary vendor they get radiators from that have a black primer like yours and they stink. Normally they should have a blueish primer. Just curious, have you noticed peculiar smells radiating from yours? I went Governale brand only because of it, so wondering if they ever fixed that issue.

I believe that she is takling about tapping the place on the radiator where the steam vent should be. Where the radiator has a small indentation about 1/3 the way up from the bottom. Then what to plug the open hole where she is removing the vent from when she installs the vent in the proper location . But I could be wrong.

NOT

dko

Correct, the radiator should already be tapped with a plug in that exact location on the opposite side. More work than simply tapping, just an option

Intplm.

@foresthillsjd
Sometimes some folks like to install a counter sunk plug on the upper portion of a radiator. (2nd pic) Its thought by some, to be a better look rather then the common plug most often used.

ethicalpaul

By the way @foresthillsjd how is your system heating? I admit I was quite nervous about your new radiators

EdTheHeaterMan

dko said:

Correct, the radiator should already be tapped with a plug in that exact location on the opposite side. More work than simply tapping, just an option

That would mean the radiator was use for Steam before it was salvaged. I'm not sure that this radiator was a salvage yard radiator. This looks like a radiator that was intended for use on hot water or 2 pipe steam and the lower 1/8" Steam Vent hole was never drilled. But I may be wrong

NOT

dko

No, I mean it comes like that from factory new. Just one side having the bottom 1/8" port already tapped and plugged. Except for Governale, they have both sides tapped. 

I sell these everyday

i started seeing the black primer around 2021 so OP's rad is probably from around then? 

Anyway thats just assuming my assumptions were correct. Honestly I am just curious to know if the smell from the radiator was ever bad and if it went away. Or it was always ok. I made a huge deal about it with OCS and made them take it all back.

foresthillsjd

dko said:

You said you already have the tools to tap, but in the case you were trying to find a way to avoid it.. it should already be tapped and plugged on the other side. You could undo the connections and flip the radiator around. And, that varivalve is probably opened way too much. If you are in Forest Hills, that radiator is most likely from OCS Industries. They have a secondary vendor they get radiators from that have a black primer like yours and they stink. Normally they should have a blueish primer. Just curious, have you noticed peculiar smells radiating from yours? I went Governale brand only because of it, so wondering if they ever fixed that issue.

Yup!  You are right!  I never even thought to look there. I’m gonna flip these radiators around this weekend.