One pipe steam radiator leaks

Don Bartz

I have a single pipe steam system in my home. Recently I noticed water leaking from the ceiling in my living room. I found out that the radiator in the upstairs bedroom is leaking on the bottom at two of the four seams. Does anyone have a diagram of what the radiator looks like? I don't know if it can be repaired or not, I'm thinking probably not, but a diagram would be helpful.

Paul_11

REPLACE IT

if the radiator itself is leaking you should replace it.
Look the radiator over carefully to make sure it isn't the rad valve or air release valve spitting and it only appears that it is the radiator itself.
paul

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Steamhead

If it's just a bad push-nipple

the radiator can be taken apart and the nipple replaced. But you don't want to do this yourself! Hire someone who has done this before, you'll be glad you did.

If a section has cracked, it's best to replace the radiator.

This begs the question: Why did the radiator fail? A frequent cause in one-pipe steam is acid condensate, which can be caused by improper venting of air from the system. Check your main vents- are they sized properly (measure length & diameter of your mains & tell us what vents are on them) and are they working?

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Don Bartz

Thanks Paul & Steamhead,
My house is 110 years old. The boiler is about 25 years old. It's an old Weil-Mclain boiler. Everything has worked up til now. I will check into the exact place where the leak is coming from. The first two bottom seams look rusty. That is why I thought it was leaking there.