Household Repairs Radiator doesn't heat properly. Unscrew valve from radiator, carefully clean venting port with a tiny wire. Blow hard through stem of valve. Shake out accumulated water. (Valves can also be cleaned by soaking in gasoline for a few minutes.) Then replace. If radiator continues not to heat, lay a carpenter's level on it to determine whether it is pitched properly. If it isn't, insert wood shims under legs. In a one-pipe heating system, radiator should pitch down to the supply line. In a two-pipe system, it should pitch toward the return line. If radiator still doesn't heat, replace valve with a new one.

Note. Heat output is reduced if radiators are painted with metallic paint. Over-paint with ordinary interior paint or special radiator paint.

Banging in radiator and pipes. Insert 1/2" blocks of wood under the legs of the radiator to correct the pitch of the pipe leading to it. If this doesn't work and it is possible to do so, insert thicker blocks of wood under legs. If this still doesn't work, call a plumber.

Water leaks from around stem of inlet valve. See radiator, hot water.



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November 21, 2008