Hoffman 1A valve problem

gerry gill

and i would go with gorton brand over hoffman's any day of the week.

Dick DeAngelis

Hoffman 1A valve problem

I recently purchase one-half dozen new Hoffman 1A radiator valves. One of the six leaks water from the top. Also the tongue seems a little stiff so I am assuming that for some reason the valve isn't closing when the steam reaches it. Has anyone ever received a faulty new valve. The supplier says no.

Thanks

Dave Meers

one pipe radiator vents

Hi ****,

Anything mechanical can be faulty by the time it reaches the hand of the end user. That said, let's see if there is something else going on here. The tounge that you mention helps the water flow out of the vent body. If it is not positioned properly after the vent is screwed into the radiator, water might pool up in the vent and then try to escape thru the vent hole. The pitch of the radiator and the postion (open or partly closed) of the radiator valve can effect the radiator vent. The radiator should be pitched so that the water at the bottom of the radiator flows back to the radiator valve, high on the vent side and low on the valve side. The radiator supply valve needs to be fully open so that the water can flow out while the steam is entering. If the water is "hung up" in the radiator, it is more likely that some of it may try to spit out the vent.

What rate do you have the 1A set for. It is more likely to spit at the fastest rate.

You can do a little troubleshooting by trying the "bad" vent in another radiator and the "good" vent in the original radiator.

Do you have main vents installed, sized and working properly? Without a main vent, or an undersized or clogged one, the air from the main may be trying to escape from that radiator. Too much air trying to escape too fast can cause a vent to spit water.

Try the "Find a Professional" on the home page to locate a good steam guy in your area, or try some of the books offered at this site for more information on your steam system. My book is "Linhardt's Field Guide to Steam Heating".

Best regards, Pat

Robert O'Connor_7

****...

Try swaping a new functional one for the leaker. The problem, more often than not, is usually system and or branch piping and not a faulty valve..Robert O'Connor/NJ

Dean_7

vents

Last Feb. while restoring my steam system I bought 8 new Hoffman 1A radiator vents. Two were faulty right out of the box, failing to close when the steam reached them. The distributor told me it happens, not often but it does happen.