April 28, 2015

How to clean a balancing valve?

The Caleffi 132 Series QuickSetter™ and 132 Series QuickSetter+™ (low-lead for plumbing applications) balancing valves have become very popular, and for good reason; they are incredibly simple to use and save big money in labor costs. You don't have to be a balancing contractor to balance a hydronic circuit or plumbing recirculation line because the built-in flow meter shows direct readout in GPM.

The flow meter works by bypassing a portion of the main flow through a small channel adjacent to the flow meter scale. In systems that are circulating "dirty" water, this small bypass channel can become affected by chunks of debris and/or products of corrosion/scaling. If this happens, the flow indicator ball can appear to be stuck, or not operating smoothly when the flow pin is pulled. The bypass channel can be easily cleaned by following this simple procedure:

1) Drain the system or isolate the 132; it needs to be opened up. Remember, the flow adjustment mechanism at the outlet is a ball valve and will isolate the outlet side.

2) Unscrew and remove the bypass stem (near the pull ring).

3) Back out (but don't completely remove) the two small set screws on the bypass housing.

4) Pull out the bypass assembly.

5) Inspect, clean and flush out the bypass (and body) with water or low pressure air to remove any debris.

6) Reassemble in the reverse order and the 132 should be good as new!

7) Purchase and install a Caleffi DIRTCAL, DIRTMAG, DISCALDIRT or DISCALDIRTMAG to clean up that system!

Please let us know if you have any questions or comments about this or any other Caleffi product.

Thanks for reading!  We appreciate your business!

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Blog post comments
jamie
July 10, 2018

im wanting to clean out my 132 series balancing valve but on step 3 to remove the two small set screws, im not sure of the allen wrench size or certain head type or size to back out the two set screws? im just beig cautious so not to strip those screws out.

tech_support
July 17, 2018

That set screw is a 1.5 mm hex. Should be easy to remove and clean.

John
August 02, 2018

I did the following steps listed above.

But the ball float still does not move

What else do I do...
I got great flow when I open upstream valve too...

Cody Mack

In reply to by John

August 09, 2018

John:

If at that point you're showing no flow from the flow meter you will have to replace the flow meter.

Cody Mack
Applications Engineer
Caleffi North America

William Downs
August 03, 2018

We need Quicksetter type balancing but for domestic hot water. It looks like the 132 is only for heating and cooling. What are the lead free options?
Thanks
Bill Downs

Steven Janssen
November 23, 2018

Can the Quicksetter 132772A be used for plumbing applications? Lead issues?
The quicksetter+ does not come in 1 1/4 size.

Cody Mack

In reply to by Steven Janssen

November 27, 2018

Steven,

That model is for closed loop systems only as it is not low lead. Currently we only make the low lead QuickSetter+ up to 1".

Cody Mack
Caleffi North America
414-238-2360