How to Maintain a steam radiator with This Old House

Watch this video from This Old House to learn how to maintain a steam radiator.

Steps:

1 Close the valve at base of radiator.

2 Turn off the room's thermostat.

3 Carefully unscrew the old air vent from side of radiator; if valve is hot, use thick cloth to protect your hand.

4 Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of the new steam valve.

5 Thread new steam valve into side of radiator; be sure valve points straight up.

6 Remove handle from valve at base of radiator.

7 Use adjustable wrench to unscrew packing nut from valve stem.

8 Wrap graphite packing gasket around threaded valve stem.

9 Replace nut and tighten with adjustable wrench.

10 Open valve at base of radiator.

11 Turn on the room's thermostat.