radiator valve seized

GusHerb

the best thing is graphite packing it comes in a string and you string it around the valve stem and screw the nut back on and all should be good.you can get it from any plumbing supply house.
j.h.

nack

Hi,

Just bought an old house with about a dozen cast iron rads for heating. Each rad has a large main valve, used for crude heat control per room. Problem is that none of these valves actually turn. Worse, one of these valves is leaking from it's stem. I drained the system and removed the cap from the leaking valve, but I am unable to find anybody who provides washers or parts. Please suggest an alternative gasket material or supplier that I can use for this leak. If it works then I'll take the others apart and try to get them unseized too.

Also I am drywalling behind these rads and the rads need painting too. I am tempted to remove the rads during this rennovation period and refinish them on the workbench. How risky is removal of these rads? I am worried about creating leaks when I reinstall them. But removing them would make for better walls and better refinish on the rads.

Decisions, decisions. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks