In the mornings when my steam radiators kick in, one of them has an excessive amount of steam blowing out of (what I deem) the relief valve on the side of the radiator. It is my understanding this will occur when the pressure within the radiator is too high. Short of just turning off the radiator, what are my options, and what is causing this and what do I need to do to repair this? Is it an easy fix? When this occurs the room then is filled with steam, everything in the room has a misty film on it.

Whatever assistance you all can provide will be greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds to me like you`re describing the air-vent. It vents the air out of the rad at start-up and each cycle after, so the steam can get in.
They are supposed to close when the steam hits it, obviously yours isn`t.
The simplest cure would be to replace it, but you can try removing it, and boiling in vinegar for about 15 min. on the stove, sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Good Luck!

 

Thanks Olsen. So it looks like quite simply, shut off the radiator, then (hopefully) simply unscrew the air valve are try soaking in vinegar...
I suspect these haven't been changed in a while (I've only been in the house 2 yrs) but I think I might even look into changing them.
Is it safe to assume these should come off pretty easily and if I am having difficulty something is wrong? Also, is there anything inside, once I pull out the air vent I need to make sure doesn't fall into the radiator?

Thanks for all your help, I know this may have been simple, but invaluable information for me.

Mid.

 

No problem, I would likely just leave the rad valve all the way open(as it should be), and turn down your thermostat(so the boiler wont make steam) while working on the vent.
You shouldn`t have to worry about anything falling-off inside the rad, and they are usually 1/8" angle mount(usually 1/3 of the way up the rad), so they should unscrew for you by hand.
Just curious, can you see a name of any kind on them?

Again, Good Luck.

 

Thanks again Olsen, I am at work now so I can't get you the name, but I was talking with one of our HVAC guys here, and he kind of stepped me through the whole process. He even told me of a place nearby I should go to get the replacements. Sounds like it's pretty much of a no-brainer, but with old radiators and such you never know. I am praying this thing comes off by hand the way it sounds like it should.

Your responses have been very insightful Olsen; thanks again.

Mid.

 

This is for Olsen, or anyone else really for that matter. I have bought the replacement air vents, the old being "USAV-880B" with a Gorton Angle steam ir vent. The original is bullet shaped, the Gorton is round, and I understand they both do the same thing. My question is, when tightening (by hand) it seems the tightest when the vent hole is upside down. Should I try to keep this on top or does it matter?
I have 'em on top now, as I think it should be, and will be monitoring the situation.

Thanks again to Olsen for all your help in this matter. You were very insightful.

Mid

 

The vent hole should be up.