Leaking CH radiator question!!

[veggiechicken]

For the sake of all those who haven't a clue what I'm on about (like me) here's a piccy

Its the downward facing bit that is leaking - the bit that you would attach a hose to (as BM says)

[Bigmallly]

I think I can hear a plumber running through the vine.

[veggiechicken]

Where's Potty when you need him.................POTTEEEEEEEE

I think I can hear a plumber running through the vine.

You must have a very loud voice BM
And Potty has his big boots on.................

[Bigmallly]

I'm stumped VC sorry...........the ones I have seen have a hole as in yours but also a square nut which you nip up.

[veggiechicken]

I can't really see anything to tighten - though it must be there somewhere

[Potstubsdustbins]

Hello,

Its me.

VC, turning off both radiator valves will eventually stop the leak as the drain cock is on the radiator side of the valves.

Once you have turned off both valves that's both of them you can have a crack at it yourself as there is only the water in the radiator to worry about.

This type of valve is only meant to drain the radiator and they are usually operated with a screwdriver inserted up into the bottom opening.

Just make sure the radiator is cold before you start wouldn't want you burning your dinkies if you turn the screw the wrong way.

Potty

[Bill HH]

In the absence of the expert, are you sure its the drain tap leaking or is it where the the drain tap connects to the radiator? I can see rust round that connection, I fear it may mean draining the system down and refitting that assembly.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Bill you are not minus an expert

Potty

[Aberdeenplotter]

Potty, I too have a leaking radiator but just the top plug which I will take off and wrap with ptfe tape.. I once saw a plumber with a rubber cone which he used to bung the hole while he was rewrapping with ptfe. Would that have been a home made invention or is it a tool which I can invest in?

VC, sorry if that tangentised but to comment on your observation that it leaks while cold. That's cos metal contracts when cold and expands when hot. Expansion will be sealing the leak.

[veggiechicken]

Thanks Potty - my Hero
Can I be totally stupid and ask you what are the radiator valves that I would turn off. I'm not going to tackle it myself as I don't have any useful tools, but if its simple, I'll ask a neighbour to do it.

[Bigmallly]

In the pic.......turn the one with the numbers to zero and on the other end of the radiator there will be a similar one with no numbers, turn that off as well.

[Potstubsdustbins]

VC Put me up a pic of the valve at the opposite end of the rad please.

Potty

[Potstubsdustbins]

AP the rubber bung whilst handy is not a necessity if you can turn of both radiator valves and get some form of drip tray under the radiator, let the water pressure off using the air vent and there will only be about 1/2 pint spillage to contain.

However if your are interested the expanding rubber/nylon plugs are made by Monument tools come in a pack of 6 different sizes and are £15 + vat from Screwfix.

Potty

[Bigmallly]

Whilst waiting for VC to upload her pick Potty, am I right in thinking that radiators can be independently isolated using the valves?

[Potstubsdustbins]

On all modern systems yes. Some years a go systems were piped up using just a one pipe system and turning of a valve would stop the complete system working.

To put that in perspective I have piped up a system like that for 40 odd years and when we came across one about 3 years ago I sent for my lad to look at it as it was so unusual.

Potty