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Radiator valve leaks

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ksd99
ksd99 Member Posts: 77
in THE MAIN WALL
When I increase the heat, I have 1 radiator that spits a bit above packing nut , can I reseal it?
New owner of 1 Pipe Steam Boiler - learning all I can- no real steam pro in S.W. Michigan - if you know of 1 -let me know.

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  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,404
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    Yes, easily. You could first try just tightening the packing nut a little. Sometimes that's all that's needed. If not, back the packing nut off all the way, clean the old packing out, put in new and reinstall.

    While you're at it, wander down to the basement and check your cutin and cutout pressures. For a "normal" one pipe or two pipe system in a home, the cutout should not be more than 1.7 psi and the cutin around 0.7.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • ksd99
    ksd99 Member Posts: 77
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    Thanks Jamie. My pressuretol is1.5
    New owner of 1 Pipe Steam Boiler - learning all I can- no real steam pro in S.W. Michigan - if you know of 1 -let me know.
  • ksd99
    ksd99 Member Posts: 77
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    Can I use plumbers tape ?
    New owner of 1 Pipe Steam Boiler - learning all I can- no real steam pro in S.W. Michigan - if you know of 1 -let me know.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,404
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    ksd99 said:

    Can I use plumbers tape ?

    No need for it -- it's for sealing threads, not for packing. But even the big box stores have usable packing thread... The packing seals the shaft of the valve to the valve body; the threads of the packing nut aren't part of the seal at all.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England

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