Before opening a heating valve with a pressure gauge, first confirm its type, then operate accordingly, while paying attention to the following:
Confirm Valve Type: Heating pressure valves are mainly divided into two categories: gate valves and ball valves. Gate valves have a valve stem perpendicular to the pipe, and rotating the valve stem raises and lowers the valve disc; ball valves contain a spherical valve core inside the valve body, with the valve stem and ball connected perpendicularly.
Perform Opening Operation:
Ball Valve: Slowly rotate the handle 90° counterclockwise. A "click" sound or loss of resistance indicates it is fully open. For the main valve/branch valve (ball valve), counterclockwise rotation is open, and clockwise rotation is closed. If the valve has a handle, parallel to the pipe indicates fully open, and perpendicular indicates fully closed. Rotate slowly to prevent water from impacting the pipe.
Gate Valve: Rotate the valve stem counterclockwise, checking the pipe temperature change every 1-2 turns to avoid water hammer (pressure shock) due to rapid opening. This type of valve is common in older heating systems and requires multiple turns (usually 3-5 turns) to fully open or close. Operating Precautions: Observe the pressure gauge reading during the opening process. If the system pressure drops by more than 20%, stop operation and check for leaks.
If you are using a centralized heating system, the simplest and safest way is to contact your heating company directly and request them to send a professional to open the valve. If you need to operate it yourself, first turn the valve counterclockwise to fully open it, then turn it clockwise one full turn to prevent future issues with the valve not closing properly.
Before operation, ensure you understand and are familiar with the specific requirements and operating procedures of your heating system. If you are unsure how to operate it, it is recommended to seek professional help to avoid heating problems or safety hazards caused by misoperation.
For some systems, when opening the heating pressure gauge valve, you need to first close the water supply valve of the heating system and ensure the system has cooled to a safe temperature. Then, use a suitable tool (such as a wrench) to turn the pressure gauge valve counterclockwise to open it.
