Radiator Valves
The threads for the ‘female’ end part of the radiator has worn out. We can’t get our new valves to screw in. Can they be threaded? Can I do this myself or is a plumber required? Thanks.
The threads for the ‘female’ end part of the radiator has worn out. We can’t get our new valves to screw in. Can they be threaded? Can I do this myself or is a plumber required? Thanks.
when you replace a radiator valve, you must replace both sides of the union…a new valve will probably not thread into an old union
If its steam and if its the air vent you are trying to replace, pay attention to the slight angle the threads are to the valve. The valve is tilted slightly to allow condensation to drain back into the radiator. Just makes it optically tricky to start the threads.
If you are talking about the intake valves (larger brass ones near he floor) they are size specific depending on different manufacturers. In short, the male and female need to be the same make or they will ‘almost’ fit, but not quite. Perplexing -I found that out the hard way.
Don’t forget to use teflon tape!!
Are you talking about radiator supply valves (large brass colored valves near the floor) or radiator vents (small metal vents about 2/3rd of the way up the radiator on opposite side from supply valve)?
The vents are usually 1/8″ NPT tappings – as MP suggests, you could try to clean them up with a tap of that size.
Some radiators have a left-hand thread at the bottom tapping, they’re righty-looseys, lefty-tightys in other words. Go figure.
Try to determine which type of threads you’ve got and buy a pipe tap to clean them up before screwing the new valves spuds in.