- Mon–Sat 8AM–8PM
- 1374 Stuyvesant Ave, Union NJ 07083
- 24/7 Emergency Line Always Open
Look like: Large cast-iron radiators with a single small vent on the side (1-pipe steam) or a vent at the end (2-pipe).
Sounds like: Hissing as they heat up, sometimes banging.
Common in: Union County homes built 1900–1950, especially in Elizabeth, Hillside, Roselle, parts of Union.
Look like: Cast-iron radiators with bleed valves on top (small key-operated nut), no hissing vent.
Sounds like: Generally quiet; gurgling means air trapped.
Common in: Homes built 1950–1980, plus converted older homes.
Look like: Long, low metal enclosures along the wall at floor level. Contains copper pipe with metal fins.
Sounds like: Very quiet; occasional ticking as metal expands/contracts.
Common in: Most homes built 1970 onwards, plus retrofits.
Almost always fixable in a single visit. For hot water systems: usually just air trapped — we bleed it. For steam systems: usually a vent that needs replacement. Rarely a bigger issue, but the diagnosis matters.
For hot water radiators, yes — usually. Open the bleed valve (small nut on top, key-operated) until water comes out instead of hissing air. Close it. If you bleed it and the cold returns within a week, there's an air-introduction problem we should diagnose. Steam radiator vents don't bleed the same way — they replace.
No. It's a common myth that "steam pipes just bang." Banging is almost always fixable — usually pitch, venting, or steam trap issues. Your house can be quiet.
Yes — that's what we do. Old cast-iron radiators are beautiful, durable, and great at heat distribution. We repair them, repack valves, replace vents, and preserve them. Most cast-iron radiators are still serviceable after 100+ years.
Standard property manager call. Usually a quick fix — often just bleeding or vent replacement. We respond same-day in heating season, communicate professionally with the tenant, and document the work.
40+ years on Union County radiators — steam, hot water, baseboard, vintage cast-iron.
Many plumbers specialize in one. We service all four — including the older steam systems most plumbers won't touch.
We don't replace cast-iron radiators that just need a vent. We don't replace baseboard sections that just need straightening.
NJ Master Plumber #9142. Repair work warrantied — if it fails, we come back.
Don’t see your town? call (973) 900-0430
Banging is condensate (water) being smashed by steam — never normal. Causes: improper pitch on radiators or pipes, failing steam traps (in two-pipe systems), blocked main vent, or too much water in the system. All fixable.
With proper maintenance: 40–60 years for the boiler itself, often longer. The cast-iron pressure vessel is incredibly durable. Burners, valves, and controls need periodic replacement, but the boiler heart often outlasts modern systems by decades.
Sometimes worth it, sometimes not. Steam systems work well when properly maintained. Switching to hot water involves replacing all the radiators (or converting them), new piping, and a new boiler. Major expense. We'll honestly walk you through whether it makes sense for your home.
For larger repairs and full replacements, yes — through Wisetack. Approved in minutes, no credit impact.
Yes. We work on multi-family steam systems across older Union County — apartment buildings in Elizabeth, Hillside, and similar areas. Maintenance contracts available.
