Using Steam Radiators Without Water?

Anne

My mother's house in Houston is 80 yrs. old, as are the cast iron steam radiators. About 30 years ago she stopped putting water in the radiators. The valves were old and a plumber told her they could cause an explosion. He also told her that it would be fine to use them without the water. Each radiator has its own pilot light, and so for 30 yrs. she's been turning on the gas, and the internal flame heats up the cast iron, providing heat. But, isn't this bad for the radiators? I can now smell gas when she turns them on and off, and that gas odor lingers. A plumber could not find a gas leak. Please advise. Thankyou!

Unknown

WOW

I thought those were all gone by now. The nickname I have heard them called by is "Curtain Burners". They heated Jerry Seinfeld's TV apartment.

The exhaust from those vented right into the room. There is the problem. The odors are from that situation. They were designed in the days when more fresh air was infiltrating the rooms, and that kept the occupants healthy.

As far as the water is concerned, I don't know if there is a means built in to protect from too much steam pressure building up. I think I would consider replacing them with central heat.

I'd guess those are about 75 years old.

Noel

Mark Hunt

Gas odor


I would STRONGLY suggest that you contact the gas provider and have them check for Carbon Monoxide in your mother's home. While CO is odorless, other by products of combustion are not and their presence can be a warning sign of a CO problem. DO NOT WAIT TO DO THIS!!

As for the steam radiators, a better description or a picture would help us give you the correct answer.

If these things are what I think they are, you should seriously consider a new heating system for your mom.

Call the gas company NOW!

Mark H

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Unknown

The valves are passing

gas. Thsoe valves have to be greased from time to time on those Curtain Heaters. They are so old they have probably worn out and even greasing them with key grease will not help. If you get a real old timer from the gas company they may know how to grease them.

Those should never have been run with out water I am suprised they did not explode.

Better yet it is time for central heating.

Unknown

Just found one in an old book

I have they are vintage 1908. The original ones ran on manufactured gas. There are some more modern ones in a book by a company called Citnic Fuel and Radiator vintage 1930.

Anne

Is It Dangerous to Operate Steam Radiators Without Water?

We have found the gas leak under my mother's house. Now, I need to know, before her gas is turned back on, is it dangerous for her to continue to turn on the gas steam radiators without filling them with water? She has not put water in them for 30 yrs. And they have not been serviced for that long! They are about 80 yrs. old. Any help is appreciated.
Thankyou! Anne

Steamhead

Are they

Clow "Gasteam" units?

I'm surprised they haven't started a fire. But I think they have pipe tappings on the bottom- if that were my house I'd probably build a steam system using them, and disconnect the gas burners.


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