I need help shutting off my radiator!

The radiator valves have numbers to them. The number on the valves lets you know how many feet you are from the boiler. The further away the high the number and larger the vent hole. Maybe you should considering lowering your valve. Also there is an automatic shut off valve that you can use to set the temperature. If you are changing your valve make sure that you use the white tape before you screw it in and be absolutely sure without a doubt that you screwed it in correctly. If you are in doubt ask your super or nearby super to help you out. Otherwise that valve will pop out with pressure and it can be dangerous.

coconut

in General Discussion 7 years and 5 months ago

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Guest User | 8 years and 4 months ago

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I need help turning off my radiator. It puts off way too much heat for my room. My girlfriend and son have a hard time sleeping with this heat! I turned the air valve upside down and nothing. (The white stuff on the floor is to cover holes) [Image](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:ujz2:image.jpg.jpg) [Image-0](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:Ek5W:file_0image.jpg.jpg)

Master Plvmber | 8 years and 4 months ago

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Throw a moving blanket over the radiator and eliminate the convection it creates to heat your room. No, it won’t catch on fire. The radiator would never get nearly hot enough to do that.

RobertGMarvin

in General Discussion 8 years and 4 months ago

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When I had an office in an old City-owned building the radiator right next to my desk couldn’t be shut off. I insulated it with layers of newspaper, covered with cardboard. When that came off a couple of years later it turned out that mice were nesting in it. Maybe it’s better to insist on repairing or replacing the valve, so that it can be shut off properly.

decodeddreams | 8 years and 4 months ago

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The first photo (with the purple towel) is the radiator shut off. It is missing its knob. You can purchase replacement knobs at Home Depot. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Plumbers-Edge-Fit-All-Radiator-Valve-Handle-PE1115/300905581?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D26P-AirCirculation%7c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8bbVjZPE1wIVDNVkCh2RWgCbEAQYASABEgI-yvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CK-MpZKTxNcCFYK6swodKQkLNA In reality you probably need to replace the entire shut off based on how it looks in the photo, but that can only be done when the heating is off. FYI, the air valve needs to face up. Best of luck! Richard | Manhatta Architecture, P.C. http://www.manhatta.net

decodeddreams | 8 years and 4 months ago

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Master Plvmber | 8 years and 4 months ago

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He turned the air vent upside down to try to get it to stop venting.

hkapstein | 8 years and 4 months ago

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It seems like the shut off valve is in bad shape, but the air vent is not seized. How about replacing it with a new TRV vent?

slopefarm | 8 years and 4 months ago

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LOL, MP, yes, it seems a little radiator 101 is in order for the OP.

The VALVE to open or close off the radiator to its heat supply is at the base of the radiator where the supply pipe attaches to it. The VENT is the thingy that sticks out of the middle of the end of the radiator to let the air escape so the steam can rush in. If you want no heat at all, close the valve completely (do not shut it part way, that will trap water inside the radiator). If you just want a little less heat, then replace the vent with the smallest vent you can find (measured by the sizeof the opening in the vent, no the size of the vent). That will slow the flow of heat into the radiator relative to other radiators within the system.

fiordiligi | 8 years and 4 months ago

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FWIW, Danfoss, Honeywell, and a couple other manufacturers make thermostatic radiator valves. These permit individual radiators on a whole-house heating system to be temperature-regulated according to what the occupant of a particular room prefers. They’re a lot more efficient than fooling with the floor valves, which can eventually strip their threads. I have a single heating system in a two family house, with a garden rental apartment. The easiest solution for the tenants’ complaints that their apartment got too hot in winter was installing Danfoss valves on their radiators. They weren’t cheap, and I paid my had my plumber to install them. But the tenants have been happy ever since, so it was worth the cost.

murph | 8 years and 4 months ago

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Too bad you are only thinking of this during heating season. Any futsing with this closed system is not advisable.
Perhaps you have an over-sized radiator for that space. Perhaps you should replaced the valve itself. The paint buildup is not a good sign.
I replaced a valve though on a hot water system and not steam which is dangerous. A steamfitter I knew showed me how. First loosen the connections with a small blowtorch(Again, be careful). It will rid you of the paint too. Have a fire extinguisher handy. You can get all you need at HOME DEPOT: torch, plumber’s tape, extinguisher and wrenches). Once you get the valve off bring t to HD for an exact replacement. System must remain OFF while this done and completed.
The wrapping with moving blankets sounds good until spring. Build a box around it to seal it off completely. Moving blankets are for sale at any self-storage outlet.
Oh, get the phone number for a plumber just in case.

BKALLDAY | 8 years and 3 months ago

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your valves are painted over and you are missing the handle. Get a channel lock and try to turn it and hopefully you will loosen the paint enough to turn the heat down. When it’s spring save and hire a plumber to replace your valves and drain the heaters. Whatever you do, DO NOT BANG ON THAT CAST IRON. Good luck.

I need help shutting off my radiator!

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I need help shutting off my radiator!

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