Radiator Heat

[sophia jane]

I sent an email to my landlord, but I'm hoping y'all might be able to help, too. We have radiator heat in our flat and it's really really warm in here. Like the thermometer says 74 on my thermostat, and yet I've turned my part of the thermostat all the way down to try to get it to cool off in here. For days, it's just been getting warmer, and while I know it's weird in the winter, I'm too warm! Anyone know anything about radiator heat or what I might be able to do to fix it? Or is this a professional-only job?

 

[Misty_Morning]

I live in Florida, if it drops below 74 degrees I'm gonna be bitching about how cold it is. Sorry no help hare.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I sent an email to my landlord, but I'm hoping y'all might be able to help, too. We have radiator heat in our flat and it's really really warm in here. Like the thermometer says 74 on my thermostat, and yet I've turned my part of the thermostat all the way down to try to get it to cool off in here. For days, it's just been getting warmer, and while I know it's weird in the winter, I'm too warm! Anyone know anything about radiator heat or what I might be able to do to fix it? Or is this a professional-only job?

Are all the radiators warm to the touch?

If they are then the thermostat might not be working properly.

If only one or two of the radiators is warm then the valve on the radiator is either not getting the signal from the thermostat or is stuck in an open position.

If none of the radiators are warm then I would suspect that the flat beneath me's heat is rising thru the floor.

 

[sophia jane]

Are all the radiators warm to the touch?

If they are then the thermostat might not be working properly.

If only one or two of the radiators is warm then the valve on the radiator is either not getting the signal from the thermostat or is stuck in an open position.

If none of the radiators are warm then I would suspect that the flat beneath me's heat is rising thru the floor.

They're all warm to the touch (and I'm on the bottom flat). So, I'm guessing the thermostat. Thanks!

 

[Zeb_Carter]

You are very welcome.

 

[Weird Harold]

Anyone know anything about radiator heat or what I might be able to do to fix it? Or is this a professional-only job?

Depending on how old the radiators are, there may be a shut-off valve on each radiator so you can shut each one down individually.

However, it does sound like a problem that is going to require a professional.

 

[cantdog]

There'll be a knurled knob, a bit less than two inches across and round. If the shutoff knobs have been removed or lost, which happens, then you will see the square metal end that they used to be mounted on.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sysladobsis/steamv.jpg

Lacking the round thing, apply a tool to the square shaft and turn it in the "cooler" direction.

 

[cantdog]

That'll ONLY shut off the flow through each radiator (and some of the units may be impossible to turn, if they are painted-in or corroded, or both). You will still need someone who knows heating to make the boiler respond to the thermostat again.

The technician may replace the thermostat or perhaps reattach some feature of the control circuit, but clearly the system isn't listening to the thermostat, the way it is now.

In the meantime, there's only one thing to do:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sysladobsis/pullover-all.jpg

This is Mother Nature's way of telling you to wear fewer clothes.

 

[Weird Harold]

There'll be a knurled knob, a bit less than two inches across and round. If the shutoff knobs have been removed or lost, which happens, then you will see the square metal end that they used to be mounted on.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y90/sysladobsis/steamv.jpg

Lacking the round thing, apply a tool to the square shaft and turn it in the "cooler" direction.

"Newer" radiators often don't have that kind of valve on them -- as in "only 25-35 years old.

Even newer -- as in less than fifteen or twenty years old -- often don't have valves at the radiators at all, relying on the "zone control" valves or manifold located near the boiler to control the individual radiators.

 

[cantdog]

Yeah. But there you are, if there's no individual valve.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

We really don't know the kind of radiator she has...

It may be a baseboard radiator http://www.irvingsplumbing.com/images/baseboardradiators.jpg

Or

A standing radiator http://www.re-store.org/graphics/a_to_z_items/steam-radiators.jpg

The first wouldn't have a valve to turn on it as it will be controlled by the manifold system at the boiler as Harold suggested.

I have experienced the baseboard kind not ever shutting off completely once the boiler was fired up. So we always had to have a window open to balance things.

 

[sophia jane]

I have this kind
and they have valves, but damned if I can figure out how to get any of them to turn.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I have this kind
and they have valves, but damned if I can figure out how to get any of them to turn.

Big wrench with a big guy at the other end.

But I wouldn't do it myself...wouldn't want to be responsible for breaking anything.

 

[Weird Harold]

I have this kind
and they have valves, but damned if I can figure out how to get any of them to turn.

Valves or individual thermostats?

Go here and find us a picture of what kind of valves you have:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q="radiator+valve"&btnG=Search+Images

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Valves or individual thermostats?

Go here and find us a picture of what kind of valves you have:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q="radiator+valve"&btnG=Search+Images

It appears in the picture she attached, which I think is a picture she took, it like this one...

http://www.chuckdoherty.com/RadiatorValve.jpg

or this..

http://www.johnsonboiler.com/images/angle_valve.jpg

 

[sophia jane]

It appears in the picture she attached, which I think is a picture she took, it like this one...

http://www.chuckdoherty.com/RadiatorValve.jpg

or this..

http://www.johnsonboiler.com/images/angle_valve.jpg

Yeah, it's kinda like those. It shows on the valve "open" with an arrow, but they don't turn, and like you, I don't want to force it and risk breaking something. For now, I'll just be overly warm I guess, till the landlord gets back. Earlier I opened a window, but as the window just happened to be the one next to the thermostat, the heat only increased (annoying). Most of our windows have already been switched to storms, so not many windows available to open.
I do think it's the thermostat, now that I think about it. Back in September, the heat would come on, seemingly at random when we had it set to the lowest setting (like 55). For whatever reason, it doesn't seem to want it to ever get below 72 in here. I know I shouldn't complain, especially as our heat is included in our rent, but I can't walk around naked (sorry Cant!).

Thanks for the tips everyone!

 

[Zeb_Carter]

For Sophia...

http://www.learn-about-roses.com/UserFiles/Image/1_LongRose.gif

 

[Weird Harold]

Yeah, it's kinda like those. It shows on the valve "open" with an arrow, but they don't turn, and like you, I don't want to force it and risk breaking something.

If you have simple shutoff valves like those, you can exert a good deal of force without breaking them. A shot of "penatrating oil" might help loosen them up so they can be closed.

However, you do have a problem with the thermostat or the valves it controls that needs to be addressed by your landlord -- at least the valves are sticking open instead of closed; you could just as easily be without any heat at all.

FWIW, Heating and Cooling are designated "Emergency Repairs" in my lease -- and I think in the landlord/tenant laws here in Nevada. You might check with whatever local authority has jurisdictionover such things where you are to see what kind of leverage you have to get some action from your landlord.