Steam Radiator Valve repacking ?

ericsch

Hello , I have some steam radiators that leak from the valve stems . They need repacking but Im told not to use teflon packing or graphite packing . So what do I use? These are just your ordinary steam radiator valves you see in most homes . They have the black plastic circular handle to open and close them. So what do I use ? How many inches of whatever do I use ? and do I wrap it around the stem counter clockwise or clockwise? Thank You .

Dan_NJ

I'm a little confused by the question, Teflon or Graphite packing are the only options I've used on the bonnet nuts on my 9 rad valves, and more recently tried Palmetto packings 1382 1/8" which seems to be excellent - combination PTFE and Grahite. Three or four wraps, clockwise, then snug down and work it in a bit. I may repack all of them with this stuff - the white teflon cord I used before on the majority of these valves seems to be inferior.
https://palmettopackings.com/packing-products/general-service-packings/style-1382/

JUGHNE

Some rad valves are "packless", if so not able to fix with standard packing. Someone may have known this and this is where the advice came from.

Pictures would tell us something about the valves.

Dan_NJ

Agreed, pictures = good

JohnNY

ericsch said:

Im told not to use teflon packing or graphite packing

By whom? People love to comment on things...
Use Teflon, or graphite, or wick. Don't over think it.

ericsch

Danco and Grainger both said teflon will melt and graphite isnt appropriate ??

ericsch

I will check out the Palmetto packings stuff but it looks a little thick

ericsch

I dont think these valves are packless . They are very ordinary , some are quite old . They are the same rad valves Ive seen on every radiator since the 50's

ericsch

I wish someone would just make a thick silicone washer with a tapered top that would stop any leak by compression

ericsch

I will try the danco graphite stuff from home depot . 4 turns around the stems clockwise . Ive tried teflon and graphite string both didnt stop the leaks much

ericsch

Thanks to all the replies , I was expecting emails about having messages . Thats why the late reply .

STEAM DOCTOR

Personally been using teflon and/or graphite for years. No callbacks yet.

ericsch

the home depot graphite looks more substantial that the graphite string i tried . When using the teflon what do you think works better , the thin rope or the thicker rope?

ethicalpaul

ericsch said:

Danco and Grainger both said teflon will melt and graphite isnt appropriate ??

will melt

SeanBeans

@ethical I had someone scold me for using tape on a wet return once, said the steam gets so hot it will melt!

They used Gripp only

Dan_NJ

The palmetto 1382 I got in 1/8" thickness and it seems better than all the 3/32" stuff i found in hardware store etc. It's a bit thicker but seems to seal very well.

ethicalpaul

And it's good to 550 degrees

Dan_NJ

I don't know what pressure I would need to get 550 degree steam, but I plan to never get there
Edit: I had to check - a little over 1,000 PSI would get me to 550 Deg F steam, not gonna happen

ChrisJ

Graphite, which is used to control many nuclear reactors and melts around 6500F can't handle the temperatures in a home heating system.