Radiator Valve

[aurora85]

I am new to all this and just bought an apartment building with radiators; however, they are the type that do not have the spot for a key to bleed. So 2 questions 1)Does the valve on the left need to be screwed down shut or open for heat and 2)At the right end the valve is the type with numbers is this where I bleed the radiator? Please HELP

 

[gas4you]

Don't know what you have in usa, but all rads will have an air bleed at the top somewhere. May be hidden behind a decorative cap or something though.

 

[aurora85]

Do you know whether the left valve has to be screwed open or screwed closed (all the way down) and I have looked at some different styles of rads online to find a similar one and many do not seem to have a way to bleed them up top, but I will take your word for it. One other thing do you know what the numbers that can be adjusted on the right valve do?

 

[gas4you]

The higher the number the warmer the room will get.

The 'left' hand side is the locksheild balancing valve. The rads nearest the pump will need this closing down further than the rads furthest away so all the rads heat uo about the same.

 

[aurora85]

You are awesome! So to make sure I understand even the olderst of rad models will have a air bleed valve and the has never been a model without one, right?

 

[gas4you]

If they were UK rads then yes.

 

[aurora85]

I am concerned because this is a steam heat boiler system not a hot water system so I don't know if water would even come out?

 

[gas4you]

Ah. I know nothing about steam heat systems

You will need more specialised advice I think.

Is there not an USA site similar to this?

 

[aurora85]

Not that I have ever seen...You have been a lot of help though and thanks.

 

[Slugbabydotcom]

There's a bit of general information here
Steam is naughty stuff to play with so I suggest you only only touch any obviously dedicated user controls until you have had some on site advice from an experienced professional.