"Frozen" Radiator Valves

[Greenway]

We have just moved to a house which has the old style floorstanding radiators. Unfortunately, removing them for decorating and maintainance is proving impossible. The nuts are larger than "normal" and are "frozen" tight. I have tried WD40, hammering, and blowtorch, but just end up bending the pipe.

Please HELP!

 

[ChrisR]

Heat usually helps, but VERY often the reason they don't turn is that you're trying to turn them the wrong way. The large nuts undo towards the radiator. It's usually necessary to hold the valve still while you undo tight ones - an F shaped adjustable can be a help to do that.

 

[kevplumb]

could also try use of percussive intervention the nuts might be buckled

 

[TexMex]

Assuming you've worked out which way you need to turn them. Slip a 4 foot length of scaffold tube over the handle of your wrench, and pull on the end of it. Them nuts WILL move.

 

[kevplumb]

just had same prob getting old fittings out of cast rads
stillsons tube and heat did the trick