How to Replace Heat Radiator Air Valves

New air valves can eliminate excess radiator noise.

Malfunctioning air valves are one of the most popular causes of heat radiator failure. Whether there is a leak in your hot water system or you want to improve its overall efficiency, installing a new air valve can usually solve the problem. These valves are comprised of a packing nut, valve stem and washer. If these are poorly maintained or improperly installed, they can leak and become quite noisy.

Things You'll Need

• Teflon tape
• Pipe wrench
• Screwdriver

Instructions

1. Turn off your boiler, and allow it to cool.

2. Loosen the screw keeping the air valve handle in place. Remove the valve stem, handle and packing nut.

3. Loosen and remove the packing nut from the stem using a wrench. Use a screwdriver to remove the rubber gasket.

4. Wrap Teflon tape around the threads of your new valve. Screw it into the valve seat, and use your pipe wrench to tighten the new valve.

5. Tighten the packing nut with a wrench, and replace the handle using a screwdriver.

References

• How to Change a Radiator: Change Radiator Valve
• Bungalow Twenty-Three: Replacing a Radiator Valve