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December 25, 2008
Radiator Valve
Can a bad steam radiator shut off valve affect radiator performance? The plumber put a new vent on, and checked the pitch. The valve is open all the way.
Would this be something a plumber would normally check during a balancing.
I've read that turning the shut off valve half way for years create sediment and foul the seat? Does that sound true?
Comments
I had my radiator valve changed and it made a huge difference. Previously my plumber just made sure the valve was open it worked ,but did not make a big difference . when i was doing major renovation i had the contractor change the valves completely . A lot of work to change it some of the valves were torched to loosen it. It gives you a picture how hard it is anyway it worked so well i lowered the temperture.
Posted by: guest67 at December 25, 2008 11:11 AM
As long as the valve is all the way open, it's most likely not the valve. But it could be since you said before that the radiator only gets hot when the boiler is on for a long long time. Or, as I said before, there could be blockage in a pipe leading up to the radiator.
It's actual work to remove an old radiator valve, so it's not surprising the plumber didn't do it.
Anybody can change an air valve and check the pitch.
Next time, don't let the plumber leave your house until the problem is fixed.
--landlord/building manager for over 10 years
Posted by: IronBalls at December 25, 2008 11:21 AM
Several plumbers have told me that the valves must be fully on or fully off so that would seem to be true. There are valves that have numbers and can be used on the radiator you described. A 1st floor bedroom in an extension is the last on the line to get heat and it was a problem. The heat travels in a specific pattern due to the way the pipes were installed.
A plumber or good hardware store (Sid's) can tell you which valve to buy and they're not expensive.
Posted by: CH11231 at December 25, 2008 12:23 PM
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