Radiator bleed valve leaking
Discussion
Chaps,
Probably a simple one.
I have a friend whose radiator bleed valve is leaking. Apparently she has tightened it with a valve key as much as she can but it still seeps a little. Not known how long this has been a problem for - the reason she went looking was because the pressure in her radiator system has dropped such that the boiler no longer turns on ...
Are such bleed valves replacable? Do they ever need replacing? Or is it a matter of unscrewing it as much as possible (at which point I guess it comes out in your hand) and cleaning it up and replacing it?
Having looked at the radiators here the bleed valves are all in the middle of a larger thing (possibly 19mm across) which clearly can be removed and replaced. Can replacements of these 'larger things' be readily purchased? I can't imagine they would cost more than a couple of quid ... What are they called? A search for 'Radiator Valve' on screwfix brings up a load of thermostatic valves, which isn't what I'm looking for.
All advice welcomed, thanks.
Oli.
Probably a simple one.
I have a friend whose radiator bleed valve is leaking. Apparently she has tightened it with a valve key as much as she can but it still seeps a little. Not known how long this has been a problem for - the reason she went looking was because the pressure in her radiator system has dropped such that the boiler no longer turns on ...
Are such bleed valves replacable? Do they ever need replacing? Or is it a matter of unscrewing it as much as possible (at which point I guess it comes out in your hand) and cleaning it up and replacing it?
Having looked at the radiators here the bleed valves are all in the middle of a larger thing (possibly 19mm across) which clearly can be removed and replaced. Can replacements of these 'larger things' be readily purchased? I can't imagine they would cost more than a couple of quid ... What are they called? A search for 'Radiator Valve' on screwfix brings up a load of thermostatic valves, which isn't what I'm looking for.
All advice welcomed, thanks.
Oli.
Is this the part your looking for?
http://www.diydata.com/plumbing/central_heating/fi...
Edited to add the link!
http://www.diydata.com/plumbing/central_heating/fi...
Edited to add the link!
Edited by ChrisRS on Thursday 18th March 21:46
Simpo Two said:
The problem of course being that when you remove it your CH system tries to empty itself all over the floor! But I suppose it could be done if you were quick enough.
If you shut both rad valves off and your quick a quick top-up with the filling loop will sort it, if it was me though i'd take my time and clean the sealing face on the rad before fitting the new bleed valve.Chris,
That's precisely it - thanks! What is the proper term for this part? I can't imagine they are pricey, I just need to know what to order.
SimpoTwo, yes, it will widdle all over the floor. But the leak has caused the radiator pressure to drop to just about zero (which is when the problem was first spotted) and so that should help a little. Cleaning it all up would be a sensible step (or, more to the point, not cleaning it would be daft.)
Oli.
That's precisely it - thanks! What is the proper term for this part? I can't imagine they are pricey, I just need to know what to order.
SimpoTwo, yes, it will widdle all over the floor. But the leak has caused the radiator pressure to drop to just about zero (which is when the problem was first spotted) and so that should help a little. Cleaning it all up would be a sensible step (or, more to the point, not cleaning it would be daft.)
Oli.
zcacogp said:
Chris,
That's precisely it - thanks! What is the proper term for this part? I can't imagine they are pricey, I just need to know what to order.
SimpoTwo, yes, it will widdle all over the floor. But the leak has caused the radiator pressure to drop to just about zero (which is when the problem was first spotted) and so that should help a little. Cleaning it all up would be a sensible step (or, more to the point, not cleaning it would be daft.)
Oli.
Radiator bleed valve as per your original post. The term refers to the whole unit as in the illustration posted earlier. That's precisely it - thanks! What is the proper term for this part? I can't imagine they are pricey, I just need to know what to order.
SimpoTwo, yes, it will widdle all over the floor. But the leak has caused the radiator pressure to drop to just about zero (which is when the problem was first spotted) and so that should help a little. Cleaning it all up would be a sensible step (or, more to the point, not cleaning it would be daft.)
Oli.
Edited by Dogwatch on Thursday 18th March 22:55
Go into a Plumbers Merchants and ask for a 1/2 inch bleed valve for a radiator.
Take it home, shut off both valves to the radiator, bleed of excess pressure, with a bleed key. Place a towel under the rad and remove the offending item, some water will spill out. Clean the face of the rad with a damp cloth and fit new bleed valve. Open both valves up and bleed air from rad.
Its that simple if you have a new-ish rad where the bleed valve is sealed with a rubber washer that pushes against the rad.
If its the old type where the valve winds into the rad. It will involve a special tool, a lot of swearing, possibly a blowlamp and perhaps unintenionaly ripping the radiator brackets off the wall!
If its the latter, leave it to a plumber if you are not confident.
Good luck!
Take it home, shut off both valves to the radiator, bleed of excess pressure, with a bleed key. Place a towel under the rad and remove the offending item, some water will spill out. Clean the face of the rad with a damp cloth and fit new bleed valve. Open both valves up and bleed air from rad.
Its that simple if you have a new-ish rad where the bleed valve is sealed with a rubber washer that pushes against the rad.
If its the old type where the valve winds into the rad. It will involve a special tool, a lot of swearing, possibly a blowlamp and perhaps unintenionaly ripping the radiator brackets off the wall!
If its the latter, leave it to a plumber if you are not confident.
Good luck!
Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff