Steam Radiator Cap & Lowering Height?

[LCF]

I am getting ready to renovate 2 bathrooms in my house with steam radiators. Quick questions about the radiators:

1 - I need to remove the radiators prior to the reno, but it's still winter and I will need to plug both pipes so no steam comes out while i'm renovating. What sort of cap can I use to install on the union? I didn't know if a standard black iron cap would work? Or would it be a plug?

2 - The new flooring will add 1/4 inch to the height of the radiators and I am not sure if there will be enough flexibility in the pipes that come through the walls to reattach the union to the radiators. Will it be OK to angle grind 1/4 in off of the feet of these rads to make up for the added height?

PHOTO ATTACHED.

Thanks!

 

[John Gayewski]

The cap or plug will depend on where you can get it apart. That valve should close so it shouldn't really matter

 

[Sponsor]

 

[LCF]

The cap or plug will depend on where you can get it apart. That valve should close so it shouldn't really matter

I worry about these old valves. None of them in this house work right.

 

[John Gayewski]

Then they need changed.