The Radiotor in my Grow Room is Leaking. Please Help Me Fix It.

[RobMarley420]

First of all I live in a house that is split up into 3 apartments. The house has radient heat and my landlord would be considered a slumlord.

The heat just kicked on for the first time of the year and I realized the the radiator in my grow room was turned off and water was dripping from the pipe near the shut-off valve. As I opened the valve more water started comming out of the pipe. I went into the basement/crawlspace to shut off the furnace and I noticed water was leaking from the pipes down there too.

I shut off power to the furnace to stop water from ciruclating, and I've got the valve closed off as tight as I can get it and water is still dripping from the pipe.

Can anyone help me fix this leaking/broken radiator? I can't have the maintence guy over here fixing it because the broken radiator is in my grow room.

I need to get this fixed ASAP because I don't want water dripping all over my grow room floor, the room will need to be heated as it gets colder, and I don't want the leaking pipes in the basement to get the maintence guy over here trying to get inside my grow room.

That would be awesome if any of you guys could help me out!

 

[Hammerhead]

Bad valve go get a new one and some teflon tape

 

[RobMarley420]

Replaceing the valve include draingin the radiator right?

Luckily my grow in contained to a 3'X3'X6' grow tent, so if I really have to I can move the tent into my bedroom while maintence fixex the problem.

I think I might be better off moving the tent rather than trying to fix the problem. I really don't know what I'm doing and I wouldn't want to fuck something up worse than it allready is.

 

[Stress_test]

Replaceing the valve include draingin the radiator right?

Luckily my grow in contained to a 3'X3'X6' grow tent, so if I really have to I can move the tent into my bedroom while maintence fixex the problem.

I think I might be better off moving the tent rather than trying to fix the problem. I really don't know what I'm doing and I wouldn't want to fuck something up worse than it allready is.

Yep that's what I'd do...

 

[stillsmokin843]

its your call sounds like a easy move. replacing the valve is easy if it threaded just unscrew add Teflon tape and screw back if its copper pipe and solder then ya need help

 

[Protea]

I think you will have less work clearing the grow, then calling the maintenens guy, then setting it up again.
i am 0% handy man. and i have many times fucked tings totaly that were easy to fix in the first place. then calling someone to fix the initial problem, pluss damage caused.

call the guy. you really have to.

 

[SmokeMe]

Bear in mind that if your plumber has to drain your system then when he comes to fill it back up then hell most likely have to get to all radiators to bleed em.

 

[Puffaluffagus]

Bear in mind that if your plumber has to drain your system then when he comes to fill it back up then hell most likely have to get to all radiators to bleed em.

SmokeMe is right
You still have to bleed them every so often even if they aren't leaking.
I went and got my own key for doing it at the last place I lived that had radiators, otherwise the caretaker would have to come into every room to do it.

 

[Easygrowing]

It would be easyer 2 help,if you could take a pics of it.You can always find a soulotion for a while,to the plants are finish.Remember there is pressure on,so you has to fix it in a good way..

 

[bigghead]

is it a cast iron radiator? check the bleeder valve on top.. you will need the key

 

[RobMarley420]

Okay, so.... I shut off the system for 24 hours to let the pressure drop, opened up the valve on the radiator, and turned the system back on.

Right now the radiator valve is still leaking, although its not as bad and water is passing through the radiator to heat the room. And the pipes in the basement are no longer leaking.

So most of the problem is solved, except for the leaking valve in the room...

Its not leaking too bad, but if I wrap a dry paper towel around it, it is soaking wet in about 30 seconds.

I've got some stuff I have to do right now, but I'll see if i can get some pics up later.

 

[GrowForIt]

If the water is coming from where the stem goes in to the valve you can try to tighten the nut down a little bit.

 

[Easygrowing]

Or mabye buy a new gasket-not many pence those cost : )

 

[RobMarley420]

Yes, the water is leaking from where the stem goes into the valve. I'll have to try tightening it after work today.

If I try to replace the gasket, will I have to drain the system for that? If I open up the valve won't water come running out everywhere?

 

[Easygrowing]

ups-sorry for no answering sir .

yes it will come out from there DONT do it with water in system.Bad idea to take a gasket out and replace it again..it,s a soft materia it,s made out at-then it have sit for a while-mabye for many many years-it,s not good at all..take out those gasket,if not buying a new valve go to a shop with plummergear-show those gasket-get a new..in a time-you cant tightening anymore and risk breaking something-so you got water overall and it will cost much more..a gasket is so cheap.Nearly for free..