Is It Dangerous to Operate Steam Radiators Without Water

Anne

Will they explode? If so, why? I need to convince my elderly mother to stop using them! She was told 30 yrs ago she shouldn't continue to put water in them because safety valves were worn out. They have NOT been serviced in 30 yrs. No one in Houston area services them any longer. The radiators are at least 75-80 yrs. old.
Any information is appreciated.
Thankyou,
Anne

[Deleted User]

for the sake of saftey

i wouldn't operate anything not serviced in 30 years. i think i know the radiators your talking about, but the name escapes me. the one i'm thinking of is a gas fired independant radiator. basically a baby boiler. i'd be scarred to use it after all this time without service. it would probably need an overhaul more than service. try to talk her out of using them. but if its not what i think it is, i still wouldn't use something not serviced in 30 years.

Art Pittaway_2

If she needs heat

get her some temporary heat ...then get a contractor or contractors to give quotes/suggestions on systems for the house. Some day sell them on e-bay, might get a few bucks for them.

Steamhead

They're probably Clow \"Gasteam\" units

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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