hotwater versus steam

[Ed from chicago]

What is the difference between a radiator shutoff for a steam system, versus a hotwater system? I've been told that a hotwater shutoff has a small pinhole in the rubber gasket, and the other doesn't. Is this true, and if so what is the hole for?


Thanks very much...

 

[Finnegan]

Where is the valve located? I am not sure what you mean by "radiator shutoff?

 

[Sponsor]

 

[hj]

valve

The steam valve has a rising stem with a composition gasket, not rubber, on the end of it. It will turn off completely. The hot water valve has a rotating sleeve, not a stem, and it does have a small hole in it to maintain some circulation even when shut off.

 

[Ed from chicago]

Thanks HJ,

I guess that they really are different, even though they look quite the same except for the hole. Then they can not be used interchangably, right?