Changing-Disconnecting Steam Radiator

Jeff_17

Hi Wetheads,
I am replacing a steam radiator in my entry hall with another vintage , column-style Victorian one. Question is this...it is a one-pipe steam....The rad is piped for 1 1/4 inch connection at valve....BUT old valve is 1 1/2 inch connection. (of course, the ONLY one in the house that way...I wonder why?) Any ideas as to how to connect the two without a BIG hassle? There is a bushing that screws into the rad...and then the nipple with the collar that connects to the valve is screwed into that. I already read it is nearly impossible to get that out!! Can I use a reducer from the valve?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Do the new and old radiators both have the same size tapping? The old ones were frequently 2". IF they are both the same size, remove the old bushing (with old tailpiece still inside) from the old radiator; remove tapping in the new radiator and flip-flop. Then it will connect with your existing valve and piping.

Buy, rent or borrow a BIG pipe wrench--at least 36" (48" better). Get some cheap silicon spray that lists "petroleum distillate" as the major ingredient. Spray connections heavily--repeat every hour or so for a few hours--perhaps wait till the next day and spray a few more times...

Lay radiators on their side and use a long cheater bar. (Half of a basement lally [adjustable screw] column works great.) Have at least two hefty men stand on the radiator and remove--at least that's how I usually have to remove them. You'll almost swear that you could "turn the house" then all of a sudden it will give. Haven't broken a rad yet...

jeff_34

YES..THEY DO!!!

They do have the same size tappings.....

I suppose I can try to remove the bushing, as the rads were only painted ONCE in 103 years!!!!!

Once I remove the tapping, will my plumbing supply have a new one that will fit the existing 1 1/2 in valve?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

You want to remove the bushing with the valve "tailpiece" (the other half of the union) STILL INSIDE. Then do the flip-flop. It's not the paint that causes problems, it's the years of being together and (in steam rads especially) the corrosion.

The nomenclature is kind of strange--the hole in the radiator is referred to as the "tapping". Most of them have the tapping sized down with a bushing. Then the tailpiece is installed in the bushing.

Jeff_17

Well....

I am glad I can get the "body parts" named correctly. The rad I am going to use, came from a house in my neighborhood that the owners were no longer going to use. I am moving one of mine to another location...I already checked the EDR and they are the same... that is the one that needs the bushing removed! So, I suppose, I will TRY MY BEST to get the bushing off with the tailpiece.....I heard PB Blaster works great.....I also have other spray lubricants that I will try.....BUT...if no success.....can I use a reducer?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

You could probably reduce down the piping coming from the floor to 1" without affecting things too much, BUT this opens a whole new can of worms because it's almost certain to be too tall. You'll have to remove the piece (very easy to collapse them in old systems) and unless you can get to the underside you might break other thing down the line as well. Some REALLY BAD and expensive stories have begun that way...

Jeff_17

I was actually thinking

about putting a "reducer" on the rad to the valve....obviously the other way to go from 1.25 to 1.5 inches INTO the valve....any thoughts?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

I've presumed that the steam pipe comes up through the floor and that it's a right-angle valve. Really no reasonable way to change size once you've hit the valve because it forms half of a union.