Steam Radiator Valve Repair

[sojorner]

I have steam heat (single pipe system) and the shut-off valves are leaking (steam is coming out the top threaded handle portion and then condensing). Are these repairable?
THanks
Sojorner

[hj]

first just try tightening the packing nut. If that does not work, unscrew the nut, (you usually will not have to remove the handle to do so,), then wrap some strands of graphite packing around the stem and tighten the nut back on.