Radiators?

[Cole]

does anyone here either live in a house old enough to have radiators, or work in an industry that deals with them?

if so:

the heat in my house is off, thermostat all the way down and switch flicked from Heat to Off

the radiators still occasionally heat up, like hot to the touch.

anyone have any ideas?

 

[Tubby23]

Gas or electric radiator?

When I lived at home we had a relatively old house and when the gas hot water would heat, we'd also get heat to the radiator when it was fully off. Especially annoying during summer. If it's gas I could ask Dad what happened to fix it, accounting for differences in countries this still may not help much.

 

[shortkut]

I lived in apartments with steam radiators and they all had a valve that controlled how much steam got through. When I lived in the 1st floor of a 6 story building, sometimes even with the valve closed, steam was forced through because it had to heat up the rest of the line

 

[Cole]

Gas or electric radiator?

When I lived at home we had a relatively old house and when the gas hot water would heat, we'd also get heat to the radiator when it was fully off. Especially annoying during summer. If it's gas I could ask Dad what happened to fix it, accounting for differences in countries this still may not help much.

it is gas. so if he knows thst would be awesome.

I lived in apartments with steam radiators and they all had a valve that controlled how much steam got through. When I lived in the 1st floor of a 6 story building, sometimes even with the valve closed, steam was forced through because it had to heat up the rest of the line

yeah, I don't think that would be the issue here, as there's no thermostat in the second floor.. that I'm aware of.

 

[TD]

I have basically the same experience as shortkut but it was a 6-unit building.

 

[shortkut]

it is gas. so if he knows thst would be awesome.

yeah, I don't think that would be the issue here, as there's no thermostat in the second floor.. that I'm aware of.

Are there valves on the radiator or is it more like baseboard heaters?

 

[Cole]

Are there valves on the radiator or is it more like baseboard heaters?

there are valves. many are inaccessible or n ear to it, and havent been used in at least a decade (probably closer to 15 years), which means they'd be impossible to turn without real leverage.

and there are 12? I think?

 

[TD]

When you say the radiators - do you mean all of the ones in the house? Is there anywhere in the house that doesn't heat?

 

[Cole]

When you say the radiators - do you mean all of the ones in the house? Is there anywhere in the house that doesn't heat?

So, as of now, we're only sure its 3-4 of the ones on the first floor. There are two bedrooms with radiators *off* and those haven't had an issue to my knowledge.

but my concern is that if I shut off the ones on the first floor that ARE getting hot, itll push the water through to the "next" ones anyway.

 

[TD]

So, as of now, we're only sure its 3-4 of the ones on the first floor. There are two bedrooms with radiators *off* and those haven't had an issue to my knowledge.

but my concern is that if I shut off the ones on the first floor that ARE getting hot, itll push the water through to the "next" ones anyway.

Sometimes what can happen is the ones closest to your water heater (which I assume is the first floor or basement) can heat up when the water heater is running.

Any chance if you've noticed that's when it happens? If you're not sure, may be worth checking for.

 

[Tubby23]

it is gas. so if he knows thst would be awesome.

yeah, I don't think that would be the issue here, as there's no thermostat in the second floor.. that I'm aware of.

I will ask him and get back to you.

 

[Cole]

Sometimes what can happen is the ones closest to your water heater (which I assume is the first floor or basement) can heat up when the water heater is running.

Any chance if you've noticed that's when it happens? If you're not sure, may be worth checking for.

I *do* often hear the water heater running when its happening. Is that... normal? Or is there still a way to stop it?

I will ask him and get back to you.

Much obliged!

 

[A Slightly New Used Server]

Can you shoot a picture of one of them? I assume I know which ones you're talking about but just good to clarify.

Also even on old as shit ones they can be set up as zones, but more than likely something isn't operating correctly. As TD pointed out a stuck valve could do it, either on the units themselves or down by the furnace. If it's the entire floor either they're all stuck, or there's a split in the system that leads between the floors.

 

[Tubby23]

@Cole so Dad said our issue was the valve at the hot water service was not fully shutting off when the radiators were turned off at the central unit.

He had the gas plumber fix that and it resolved the issue. He said the technician also serviced the internal units first to check that those were the issue but for us it was the external valve (not sure in the US whether your hot water furnaces are inside or outside, they're almost always outside here).

 

[Cole]

I *think* it's the entire floor. I'll get a picture in a minute, but if that's the case, what's the solution? just get someone out? this is one area I don't know shit about

 

[Cole]

@Cole so Dad said our issue was the valve at the hot water service was not fully shutting off when the radiators were turned off at the central unit.

He had the gas plumber fix that and it resolved the issue. He said the technician also serviced the internal units first to check that those were the issue but for us it was the external valve (not sure in the US whether your hot water furnaces are inside or outside, they're almost always outside here).

ours are inside. but still, sounds like everyone's in agreement on a faulty valve of some kind.

 

[Cole]

I du nno if you called or texted or something, but thank you for that man. Of course I'd decide to ask now that summer is ending.