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Why no stainless steel screws for valve washers?

CLamb
CLamb Member Posts: 337
in Plumbing
It seems that every time I replace a washer in a valve I find the brass screw holding it in place has pretty much rotted away. Wouldn't stainless steel screws be more durable?
MikeAmann

Comments

  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,388
    How old are the valves?

    SS was very expensive compared to brass, 20-30 years ago.
    mattmia2
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,915
    must be some aggressive water?
    Stainless seems to be more common now. I bought repair parts from PM.
    There stainless screws bib screws had a a dab of thread locker on them also.
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • CLamb
    CLamb Member Posts: 337
    JUGHNE said:

    How old are the valves?

    SS was very expensive compared to brass, 20-30 years ago.

    It varies from 5 or so years to about 70 years.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,915
    newer chemicals use in water treatment can cause the older brass to dezinicify. All new brass is DNZ dezinicfied
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    CLamb
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 24,915
    Yeah, I don’t have it spelled correctly and spell check doesn’t pick it up.

     Always good to have Z and x words ready for Scrabble
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Alan (California Radiant) Forbes
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes Member Posts: 4,389
    edited December 2022
    I've always used monel (nickel + copper) bib screws. This is an old Sexauer kit that I've had on my truck for 40 years.


    8.33 lbs./gal. x 60 min./hr. x 20°ΔT = 10,000 BTU's/hour

    Two btu per sq ft for degree difference for a slab
    CLamb
  • CLamb
    CLamb Member Posts: 337
    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes said:

    I've always used monel (nickel + copper) bib screws. This is an old Sexauer kit that I've had on my truck for 40 years.


    Thanks! I will now buy some monel screws.

    Alan (California Radiant) Forbes

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