The Mayevsky valve is designed to bleed air from the piping system, which improves the circulation of hot water in the heating system. This device is also popularly called the Mayevsky tap, and in accordance with the regulatory requirements of GOST, this is a radiator needle air valve.
From the history of Mayevsky's crane
Recently, these types of air vents on radiators were not used. Instead, they used water taps of the usual design. This led to the uncontrolled intake of technical water from the heating system, which required the development of new devices that would significantly reduce water consumption. Mayevsky's valve served as this device.
Causes of air locks
The occurrence of air congestion leads to the fact that the radiators warm up worse, which, in turn, leads to uncomfortable living conditions. This occurrence is possible when:
- installing a new heating system;
- draining water from pipelines and carrying out repairs;
- montageradiators;
- corrosion on pipe metal;
- depressurization of the circuit.
Need to use a Mayevsky crane
As noted above, this device solves one of the main problems of the heating system - air removal. In addition, when air is formed in this system, hydrolysis reactions of water with internal walls made of metal occur, which is especially true for aluminum batteries, which are made without anti-corrosion treatment. This releases hydrogen. The use of the Mayevsky crane eliminates this problem.
Varieties of valve (faucet) Mayevsky
There are 3 main varieties of this device.
Here they are:
- The simplest Mayevsky crane is a manual type. A special key is used to open/close it.
- Mayevsky automatic valve - is a cylinder made of brass, although recently manufacturers have begun to produce products made of chrome steel, which have a lower price, but also a shorter service life, so you should choose devices made of stainless steel or brass. In accordance with the national standard, this device cannot be considered a Mayevsky tap, since it does not have a needle valve, instead of which a plastic float is used. Nevertheless, it is referred to as such, since the function it performs corresponds to the Mayevsky crane. When air pockets form, the mechanism sets in motion and thereby leadsdevice to open.
- Mayevsky valve with built-in fuse - the last device is necessary to regulate pressure. When the specified parameters are exceeded, the valve is activated and the coolant is released, which makes it possible to avoid water hammer. It is mainly used for polypropylene and metal-plastic pipes.
Operation principle
The heating system must be constantly fed with a coolant, which in this case is water. Along with it comes a small portion of air. In places where the water velocity is low and the pressure is the same, air can accumulate in the pipeline and form bubbles.
When the accumulation of air reaches a critical volume, air locks occur. The principle of operation of the Mayevsky valve is that air is released from the radiator with the help of special tools and devices, as a result of which the air lock is eliminated, and the heating system begins to function normally.
Removal of air from the heating system
Before you start working with the Mayevsky valve, you need to remove all objects that may interfere with the work, as well as that can be damaged by water flowing from the heating system. Any vessels (buckets, jugs, bowls, etc.) are placed under the valve in order to prevent water from spilling onto the floor and walls. Next, with an adjustable wrench or a screwdriver, rotate counterclockwise. The rotation is stopped as soon as the air stops leaving the radiator, which can be judged by the appearance of a hissing sound. This is the principle of the Mayevsky valve.
After the valve hiss, you need to wait for a smooth jet and immediately close it with a reverse movement to the opening, as hot water can flow.
Using the Mayevsky crane in separate rooms
Many apartments and houses have a bathroom, which in many cases has a Mayevsky valve for a heated towel rail. It is equipped with it due to the fact that, like a radiator, a heated towel rail can be air-filled. At the same time, this valve is located strictly vertically using a special tee, which will allow the axis of the device to be installed to a horizontal position.
The vertical heating system used in multi-storey buildings provides for the presence of Mayevsky valves on the top floor, which allows you to bleed air from the heating system not of a separate apartment, but of the entire riser. In one-story houses, a horizontal system is mainly common heating, so it is better to put the Mayevsky tap in the upper part of each radiator.
How to use the Mayevsky valve
Before starting to bleed air, it is advisable to turn off the pump that distills the coolant through the system so that air accumulates at the top of the radiator forfacilitating its descent.
The air outlet must be placed when installing the Mayevsky tap down, since it is rather difficult to place the dishes to collect water at the top. The ceiling and walls may be splashed, in addition, people in the room where the air is released may be burned.
To facilitate the rotation of the screw, if it is not used for a long time, it must be lubricated with kerosene or special compounds. The Mayevsky faucet cannot be in the "open" position all the time, as this can lead to flooding of your apartment or the neighbors' apartment. Mayevsky's tap must not be smoked or otherwise used in fire.
Technical characteristics of the Mayevsky crane
When buying, you need to choose a Mayevsky crane that would have a suitable diameter for the radiator fittings located in their upper part.
Basically, its dimensions (threads) are indicated in inches. One of the most common is the Mayevsky 1/2 inch valve. On sale you can find taps with a diameter of 1 inch and 3/8 inch. Common models also include a Mayevsky 3/4 inch valve. If the mounting dimensions of the installation sites of the valves do not match those purchased, it will be necessary to purchase adapters and other consumables.in various parts of the heating system. The operating pressure for the valve is 10 atmospheres, and the operating temperature is up to 120 degrees, which is more than enough when heating central heating radiators up to 60 degrees, and with autonomous heating usually no more than 80 degrees - more than enough.
Valve design features
The locking screw is the main component of this device. It has a conical shape in the end part, which provides a "poured" fit into a hole with a diameter of 1.5-2 mm. Outside, the screw is a polyhedron with four or six slotted edges. This shape of the head ensures its free rotation with a special key or screwdriver. Longitudinal grooves are made inside the screw, through which the passage of air is ensured.
From these grooves, air passes into the chamber, which is closed, as a rule, by a polymer cuff. This chamber has an outlet with approximately the same diameter as the through hole. The tightness of the system is ensured by the fact that the valve body is mounted on a threaded connection with a stuffing box, and in the closed position the valve mechanism closes the through hole. holding the inner plug, thereby ensuring the tightness of the system. In the event of the appearance of air, the float fails, the spring pressure weakens, the internal plug opens the outlet through which the air flows out by gravity. After it exits, the water fillsthe chamber in which the float is located, which contributes to the floating of the latter, as a result of which it closes the outlet by applying pressure on the spring with the plug.
Mayevsky crane mounting locations
As mentioned above, with vertical systems, these elements are installed on batteries located on the top floor. In addition, they are mounted on those elements of the system that are connected to the riser below the upper connection point.
With a horizontal system, all radiators are provided with Mayevsky taps. When installing underfloor heating, Mayevsky taps may not be mounted at all, they installation of automatic cranes. If used, they are installed at the furthest point of the underfloor heating system.
Mount technology
The operation of the Mayevsky valve in the form in which it should be can only be ensured if it is correctly installed. The valve, first of all, must be of a suitable diameter. Its installation should be carried out only after the complete descent of water from the system. Before mounting, the plug located on the side of the battery is removed, and the Mayevsky crane is screwed in its place.
drill, in the cartridge of which a drill for metal with a diameter of 9 mm is inserted. In this hole we cut the thread and screw the valve. However, it must be borne in mind that the thread can be broken during water hammer, so it is betterinstall Mayevsky automatic cranes adapted to the landing dimensions of the plugs.
Lineup
On the plumbing market today there is a wide variety of Mayevsky taps from various manufacturers located both in Russia and abroad using various components and materials. Metal or plastic keys for these devices are sold separately.
Prices for valves range from 21-51 rubles. with the material of manufacture chrome-plated steel (at such prices you can buy cranes from the manufacturer Promart LLC, Kazan) up to 475 rubles. - Mayevsky's manual faucet made of chrome-plated brass manufactured by Promarmatura LLC, Barnaul. Also on the market are tees with a Mayevsky crane (cost about 600 rubles), keys (cost in the range of 20-120 rubles). Mayevsky's automatic faucet costs about 250-700 rubles, while a full-bore faucet for cast-iron radiators costs more.
In conclusion
Thus, the principle of the Mayevsky valve becomes clear. Its main function is to eliminate air from the heating system, which increases the efficiency of its operation, so that people living in houses in which Mayevsky taps are installed on radiators do not experience discomfort due to insufficiently heated batteries. The device is relatively simple, so everyone can use it to bleed air, replace or install a faucet if necessary.
