961402 t1_iro7wo5 wrote on October 9, 2022 at 7:32 PM

Reply to comment by smugbox in Your annual reminder that if your apartment has a radiator, don't open and close the valve. This can create condensation in the system causing a knocking sound. Radiators are designed to be used with a series of open windows to balance heat. by emeyer94

I've always been told that the actual answer to this is "It depends and you should ask your super" because there are apparently a few different ways in which a steam heating system can be set up and in some cases the knob/valve is there in case the radiator needs to be removed or replaced and when you turn the knob to off, it cuts off steam to anything else along the line.