Should this plug be gurgling?

CoachBoilermaker · November 13

This is in BR #3. Under the bed.

There is a radiator on the other side of the room.

I assume this is a plug for a deactivated radiator?

I can hear it hissing/gurgling when I am sleeping

I don't know if it stops like a vent, or it just stops when the heat goes off

Should this cap plug be making any sound?

What should I do to resolve?

Can't be said enough, so big thanks to the core guys on this forum. Good men. Sharing wisdom. Good people. Very appreciated.

ethicalpaul · November 13

use that big pipe wrench of yours to remove the cap, then wrap 5 or so turns of good teflon tape such as Blue Monster clockwise around the threads of the pipe near the top then replace the cap and tighten it until it resists tightening more.

JUGHNE · November 13

You should use a second pipe wrench to insure the bottom pipe does not move and unscrew under the floor.

Opposing wrenches for the job.

CoachBoilermaker · November 13

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1819851#Comment_1819851

I'll put 10" wrench on the pipe, flat on ground, step on it? Then try to turn cap with 24" wrench.

Good tip about opposing wrenches.

ethicalpaul · November 13

I think most people around here would use their hands, one on each wrench, but if you're weak like me, then yes you find some way to make it work. You can always try it with just the one wrench on the cap. If you see the pipe turn instead of the cap, you tighten it back up and then get the second wrench in on the action.

Or a thing that I have done is to proactively try to tighten the pipe to see if it's loose at all and if it is, tighten it up real good then try to remove the cap.

I will wager the pipe is basically welded and won't turn, and the cap, having been put on by someone probably decades later, and since we know it's loose enough that it's leaking, will loosen first.

EdTheHeaterMan · November 13

Should this plug be gurgling?

No!

Ironman · November 13

Should it be gurgling? No!

But if it has bad breath, I’d recommend gargling with Listerine.

JUGHNE · November 13

You might invest in a 14 or 18" pipe wrench if you are going to work on old piping.

A 10" is pretty short for loosing old pipes. It has the advantage of narrower jaws you might need for the riser pipe coming up thru the floor. But the disadvantage is being short it lacks leverage. You can overcome that with a long cheater pipe slipped over the handle

Jamie Hall · November 13

Or brace the pipe wrench holding the pipe against the wall…

mattmia2 · November 13

You can also arrange both wrenches so that they will loosen the fitting when you squeeze the handles together, a lot of times that is easier than pulling with opposite arms at weird angles.

ethicalpaul · November 13

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1819883#Comment_1819883

He has a 24" one from trying to get his main vent off, there will be a test! 😅

Should this plug be gurgling?

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Should this plug be gurgling?

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