I have two steam radiators on third floor with gas boiler in basement. These two radiators are dead as a doornail and have tried all of the obvious fixes. I don't think they are connected somewhere. Is there a way of finding the disconnection point without ripping open walls and following piping?

by feeling with your hands, are the supplies hot/warm? How about the feeder pipes?

Best Wishes

What is their history? Have they ever worked?

Is it a one-pipe system or two-pipe?Can you post some pictures of the radiators? Could you please elaborate on the obvious fixes you have tried? It may save time.



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No heat at all. No steam. No seepage. At some point the pipes go into floor/wall.

One pipe







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What happens when you remove the steam vent from the radiator? It is very unlikely they were disconnected, and if they were, the point should be very obvious and visible.

Not a lot is required for it to work. The valve must be fully open on one-pipe. The vent must be working. If the air can't come out, the steam can't come in. You can shut the service switch off to the boiler. Remove the vent, hold it upright and blow through it. You can test as hj has said, but be careful, you're dealing with steam. If you are working alone, you might want to remove the vent when the boilers down, and replace it with a pipe nipple and valve. Then re-fire the boiler.

No. They have not. House rebuilt after fire a few years ago. I don't recall them ever working after that. Before was before my time.

Nothing happens. It doesn't blow out. No steam, no heat, no air.

How many radiators in the house? How many runs off the mains? Ten pipes feed 10 radiators, generally.

Are you SURE (absolutely sure) the valve is open?

Try closing it (with channel lock pliers if necessary).

You are welcome!

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Nothing. The vent in the picture is new.

The valve opens and closes fairly easily. Leftie loosie rightie tightie.

WITH BOILER OFF, repeat OFF, and cold:

remove the valve bonnet and check for obstruction

using TWO people AND GOOD communication fire the boiler with valve bonnet open (one rad at a time) to VERIFY disconnect

if disconnected then you could 'backblow' with air to trace piping by 'sound' - good luck

possibility - an 'intermediate' valve may have been installed

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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638

Thank you.



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If you take the valves apart, make sure they are in the open position before you re-assemble them.

In that case you are asking us to diagnose a situation unique to your building. you need a professional at the site to diagnose it.