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Steam Radiator valve is letting off steam....

branimal
branimal Member Posts: 210
I took a closer look and the thing is duct taped/plastic bagged together. ****!!

I watched a video on how to replace the valve. I have a couple of questions

1. Can i use a sawzall instead of a hack saw to remove the damaged valve? I'll hammer and chisel off after the cut.
2. What type of valve should I replace with?

thanks....








Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,164
    Lovely, Sawzall, hack saw... angle grinder. Whatever works.

    You must use a steam radiator valve to replace. Others trap condensate and cause water hammer. They come with a matching spud (joined by a union) which goes into the radiator -- and you must use that matching spud and none other, which means you also have to get the old spud out of the radiator, which can be a bit difficult.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    branimal
  • Is the existing valve not fixable?—NBC
    branimal
  • Danny Scully
    Danny Scully Member Posts: 1,416
    edited December 2018
    Can you see the picture @nicholas bonham-carter? I’ve seen a lot of advice lately on leaving old valves and trying to repair, whether it’s an issue with the height or just “too hard”...We change these valves everyday. It’s time for a new valve @branimal. Sawsall is perfectly fine. If you have the guts :wink:, just try to back it off with a 2ft or 3ft wrench. This is always my first approach, although I would try and brace the piping in the floor somehow.
    branimalethicalpaul
  • luketheplumber
    luketheplumber Member Posts: 149
    I need a backstory on this renovation the how old is the building?
    I just earned my GED and am looking for a apprenticeship with one of these steam gurus on this site!
    branimal
  • luketheplumber
    luketheplumber Member Posts: 149
    replace it with a pot belly valve DO NOT GET A CHEAP VALVE or you will need to replace it again in 5 years and yes go for the sawzall just don't cut too deep
    I just earned my GED and am looking for a apprenticeship with one of these steam gurus on this site!
    branimal
  • neilc
    neilc Member Posts: 2,689
    am I missing something?
    why can't we get 2 wrenches on this?
    known to beat dead horses
    Canuckerethicalpaulbranimal
  • I can see the picture, but with the tape, not enough to tell whether it’s fixable or not. For you as a pro, with a replacement valve on your truck, it’s easier, and more expedient to put in a new one.
    For the homeowner, it’s not so easy, and so if it can be fixed with some new packing, or a reseating of the Union nut, I say fix it.—NBC
    branimal
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    neilc said:

    am I missing something?
    why can't we get 2 wrenches on this?

    2 wrenches and some heat should unscrew it.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    branimal
  • branimal
    branimal Member Posts: 210

    I need a backstory on this renovation the how old is the building?

    100 year old 3 family in Brooklyn NY. Gutting it floor by floor.
    ethicalpaul
  • branimal
    branimal Member Posts: 210
    Thanks guys, I'm going to wait for a mild day, shut off the boiler and replace the valve. Picked up a replacement valve from HD.
    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    Only 100? Looks like a nice project! Are those fittings galvanized or just dusty?
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • branimal
    branimal Member Posts: 210
    Upon close inspection looks like I can install a threaded cap over the male threads pictured. I wonder how much in heating costs this leak caused me. 😒
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,164
    You may find that finding .a cap with the correct threads is harder than it looks -- those threads are half of a union, rather than NPT.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    delta T1MatthiasethicalpaulCanucker
  • delta T
    delta T Member Posts: 884
    I would be surprised if you couldn't just remove that valve with wrenches, have you tried? The you can replace the valve or cap it off. As @Jamie Hall says, those threads are specific to a union nut. If you find a cap that fits I will be surprised, if you can then get it to actually seal, I will be astounded. The valve is made of brass, the pipe steel, usually not to hard to get them off even after 100 years....
    ethicalpaul
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 5,695
    I don’t think it cost you anything in heating costs—the heat still went into the house. Just maybe in make-up water oxidation cost to your boiler.
    NJ Steam Homeowner. See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el
  • Gsmith
    Gsmith Member Posts: 431
    Easiest temporary to seal that open valve is with a wood block, short piece of 2x4, and a c-clamp