Perhaps a stupid question…
The ON / OFF valve on one of my 1900s radiators does not turn. Pictures below. The radiator is in a permanent "hot" state.
Is the "valve" (handle and "small nut") indicated below a replaceable part? Or must I replace the entire pipe elbow + valve to replace the valve?
The small nut turns easily with a pipe wrench. I have not tried unscrewing it fully so as to not create a (possible?) geyser…
The boiler/radiators are off. If the valve is replaceable, will I be able to simply unscrew it and replace it (without all the water spraying out, without draining, etc.)? If not, can this individual radiator be drained sufficiently by itself? Or must the entire building's radiator system be drained?
I will explore finding a way to turn the handle, and re-use this valve. But assuming that's not possible, what are my options?
All images: http://imgur.com/a/Ar8iU
Best Answer
I have lived with hot-water heating for 70+ years. I have never seen this valve used. I have been strongly advised to never touch them, since the packing washer will have hardened decades ago, and turning the handle (if possible) could produce a permanent leak out of the system around the stem. All my systems have been one boiler-one circulating pump, feeding all the radiators, and one thermostat to switch the boiler on/off...
If you chose to remove the valve, you will need to shut off any make-up water supply, and drain all the water from that part of the system at or above the level of the radiator valve.
It is quite likely that you will need to loosen the large square fitting to access the washer that shuts off the flow of water through the radiator.