THE NYC LANDLORD'S GUIDE TO EMERGENCY STEAM PARTS

It’s 14 degrees out. And your phone just rang.

Tenant in 4B says the radiator is stone cold. Tenant in 2A says theirs sounds like a jackhammer. You know what comes next: The scramble. The calls to suppliers who are closed.

But it doesn't have to be that way. The difference between a panicked night and a 5-minute fix is what you have on your shelf. If you manage a pre-war building in NYC, these are the 6 parts you need to own before the temperature drops.

1. The "Cold Bedroom" Fixes

If air can't get out, steam can't get in. These are your first line of defense against "No Heat" complaints.

The Symptom: "My radiator is cold" or "It's spitting water."

Potential Fix: The Hoffman Model 40 Air Valve. This is the standard for a reason. Cheap vents fail in weeks; the Hoffman #40 lasts. It features a single non-adjustable port and a 1/8" NPT angle connection that fits most standard apartment radiators. Keep a 6-pack on the shelf. It turns a tenant complaint into a 5-minute visit.

The Symptom: "The boiler runs for 40 minutes, but the apartments are still cold."

Potential Fix: The Gorton No. 1 Air Eliminator addresses issues where the boiler runs for an extended period without adequately heating apartments, often signaling trapped air in the basement mains. By installing this vent at the end of the basement runs, air is evacuated quickly, allowing steam to reach apartments faster and significantly reducing fuel consumption.

2. The "Boiler Shut Down" Fixes

These are the serious failures. If these break, the boiler legally cannot run.

The Symptom: The boiler has water but won't fire.

The Fix: The McDonnell & Miller 67 Low Water Cut-Off. This float switch is the heart of your safety system. It shuts off the burner if water levels get too low to prevent an explosion. Sludge often clogs them mid-winter. You cannot bypass this safety; you must replace it immediately.

The Symptom: The boiler never stops firing (sauna) or never starts (freezer).

The Fix: The Honeywell Pressuretrol Controller. This gray box monitors steam pressure and tells the boiler when to cut out. If the "pigtail" pipe underneath clogs, this sensor fails, and you are dead in the water. It features adjustable differentials and is compatible with steam, air, and non-combustible gases.

3. The "Sleep Saver"

The Symptom: You have to wake up at 4:00 AM to manually feed the boiler.

The Fix: The Hydrolevel VXT-24 Water Feeder. Stop babysitting your boiler. This programmable feeder automatically adds water when the low-water cut-off signals it, and its digital counter helps you track water loss to spot leaks early. It’s a quality-of-life upgrade that pays for itself in sleep.

4. The "Universal" Spark

The Symptom: The gas valve opens, but there is no flame.

The Fix: The Honeywell Glowfly Universal Igniter. Don't stock 10 different igniters for every furnace model you manage. This universal kit replaces over 110 OEM models. It is robust, easy to install, and the only one you need to carry to solve almost any ignition failure.

The RelayMRO Advantage

Smart landlords stock these parts before October. But if you get caught empty-handed, RelayMRO is your backup plan. We stock every item on this list right here in NYC, ready for 4-Hour Courier Delivery to your job site.

Don't let the city freeze. Shop the Emergency Collection now.