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How do I clean out a clogged radiator?

Two pipe steam system, salvaged radiator, only heats half way across.

Comments

  • JohnNY
    JohnNY Member Posts: 3,226
    I've been hands on in the heating business for 30 years and have never seen a radiator heat partially due to clogging.

    Something else is wrong. Hire someone who knows what they're looking at.
    Contact John "JohnNY" Cataneo, NYC Master Plumber, Lic 1784
    Consulting & Troubleshooting
    Heating in NYC or NJ.
    Classes
    icesailorRobG
  • Steam running through pipes is pretty clean, so John is right-something else is going on. Is this a replacement radiator, or a new addition?
    Check the size of the radiator, compared to the pipe feeding it.
    Is there any water-hammer, indicating a water-pocket, restricting the flow? Could the steam be therefore arriving later than the other rads, so it does not get the full cycle time of steam? Is your thermostat set right for steam? Is there a crossover trap not letting the air out of that line quickly enough? Getting some of the steam books from the shop here will point you in the right direction.--NBC
    icesailor