Broomell Valves

Pete McGrath

I have a Broomell system with a leaky control valve, does anyone have a source for repair or replacement? We have tried Barnes & Jones, their replacement is not exact, does anyone know if it will work. 1000 Thanks,
Pete

john_27

pete...do you mean a radiator handle...Broomell systems do not have main valves....could you be more specific so we can try to help?

Pete McGrath

Yes, this is the control valve mounted on the radiator. I understand that this is a special valve that can "control" the amount of steam to the rad. My question is can this be replaced with a standard steam stop valve or is the Bromell valve required?

john_27

Broomell valve

Firstly, you must replace this valve with an orifice type valve...because your system hasn't traps, steam can reach through to the return line, which equalizes pressure and stops the flow of steam to the radiator...Secondly....these valves never go bad...take one of your other valves apart...you'll see that the valve may stick because the valve spring is rusted, but that's it....your problem is more likely on the return elbow...see that p fitting...take it off, push a thin wire through the top hole(lets air pass through) and you should be fine...a few drops of mineral oil will fix your spring if that is the problem...John

Mad Dog

Great advice John

Mad Dog

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Pete McGrath

Folks,
I appreciate the help but I don't know how to say it again my problem is not with the "trap". The valve on the supply side is leaking steam and must be replaced. This is what my inquiry is about. I am tring to determine where it is available or if not available is there anything else short of converting system to repair it. I hope I don't seem to snooty, Sorry!

Ken_8

You may want to try


Tom Tunstall
E-mail Address(es):
tp@tunstall-inc.com

He may have parts or an exact replacement.

Have you taken the valve apart to find the condition or possible replacement of the leaking aspect?

Your e-mail suggests NJ. Check out my link below. We may be neighbors.

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john_27

Pete....you are certainly not snooty...we're glad to hear from you, but , please understand that your system, if it is a Broomell, does not have traps at all.....your valve(we know it is on the supply side) leaks from the top of the handle, right?
If you take your valve apart(easy to do with some mineral oil, you will see that the spring holding up the handle is frozen in
an open position so that steam reaches up through the valve into the handle. If you want to see a schematic of your valve, invest in copy of "Lost Art"(available in Books and More on this website).It's in there. You have perhaps the finest steam system ever made. Get the book and enjoy your system!

Jim_45

Broomell Supply side radiator valve

I too have a "loose" supply-side quintuple valve. Steam will push through the handle/lever. The handle doesn't seem to have any "play" like the other radiators in the house. What is wrong with the spring? Has it lost its spring? Is it meant to push up on the handle from underneath to keep it sealed? I have the "lost art" and have looked at the cut away diagram and still do not know how to open it up ("easy to do with some mineral oil" how?). All the other rads are fine and I have checked the p-trap--it is not clogged and the rad heats up fine. Thanks.

gerry gill

could always replace it with

a marsh r-105 radiator valve , them dial it in and lock its opening position..you'll always be able to close the valve but won't be able to open past that point..which was how mouat controlled his valves also.

Steamhead

The question no one has asked this gentleman

is... what boiler pressure sre you running?

Broomell systems were made to run at seven ounces or so. If you're running much higher than this, the old valves can leak.

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Jim_45

I am running it low (with vaporstat around 8 oz). I have two Gorton#2's venting the system. I think the set screw that holds the lever in place is off.

john_27

yes. the spring must be reoiled...the valve comes apart from the bottom, unscrew it, and the assembly will come out...make sure the spring is fully functioning..the valve was designed to replace the springs periodically...and, Steamhead is correct...check your pressure, and make sure you have a pressuretrol AND a vaporstat as a safety...let us know, and, if you have any extra quintuple valves or p fittings, email me at arbt@bloomberg.net...good luck...john

Jim_45

Broomell Radiator valve disassembled--pictures

There is a cut-away diagram for the Broomell supply side valve on page 254 of the The Lost Art. I recently had some work on one and took some pictures for "The Wall". Maybe the pictures will come in handy for someone some day. There are two pictures.

tp tunstall

broomell

we make a fixed "tunstall inlet orifice" not to confused with steam trap orifices. tell us the size of your radiator (sq. feet edr) and we can provide a unit that'll work. look up inlet orifices on our website. tp