Removing single pipe radiator

Andrew_10

Vitals:
Early '70's steam boiler - single pipe system in Michigan
Two story home - about 1500 sf built in the 30's

I two radiators in my small kitchen. A 'lowboy' was originally beneath my sink and has since been removed. As part of a renovation, I need to remove the remaining vertical pipe stub and valve and cap the line below the finished floor. I'm hesistant to unscrew the original pipe as I fear disturbing a relatively quiet and leak free system. Is it possible to simply cut the pipe and cap it? I hate to admit it, but I've wondered if a neoprene cap, like those used on waste lines, might work if clamped snugly. If this is a truly terrible idea, how does one take apart pipes that have been joined for 70+ years?

michael_15

perhaps you could

just cut it off (and rethread and cap it with a cast iron/steel plug) at the supply main in the basement.

Now I'm going to say something that other people will disagree with. . . One might worry about whether the neoprene cap would handle high temperatures, but I think that so long as it's airtight and it's a long pipe, it doesn't matter. Steam won't go down the pipe anyway. But nevertheless, I wouldn't do it in my own house.

-Michael