removing a radiator

Brad White_9

Amy, my recommendation would be to get a pro (unless you are handy and have tools or have a building superintendent). Have them install a plug in the valve outlet and the valve of course should be off.

Do not use the valve to humidify for any length of time; it is uncontrollable and will damage the building.

This is the short answer.

The longer answer and probably the more correct one is that one would need to know how the building as a whole is piped; not knowing where your unit is relative to the others may or may not be of consequence. One thought in this regard is if you are at an upper floor the former radiator might (might) have served a venting function which benefited the speed at which other radiators were heating. If it has been as you found it for a few years and worked fine this is not of concern.

Short view from far away-

My $0.02

Brad

Amy R

removing one radiator in two pipe system

I just bought a condo in a medium-sized 1920's building with steam radiators (two-pipe). The previous owner removed the radiator in the bedroom and I am guessing she did not have a plumber do this work because the two pipes are still sticking out of the floor. The incoming valve is not capped, but has a shut-off valve. Is it OK to just shut off the incoming valve and cap the outgoing pipe? Should I expect leaking problems because the steam is entering a dead-end pipe?
Would it be OK to open up the incoming valve and let steam flow directly into the room if it gets cold/dry? or is this a bad idea? Any ideas would be helpful.