Leaking Radiator Valve When Heating Off

[RealPolitik]

Woke up to a very wet carpet where a radiator valve had leaked.

I can see where it has leaked (the joint where the thermostatic valve attaches), but am at a loss as to why - the central heating hasn't been on at all for several months.

Any suggestions as to what could have caused it to leak?

 

[thfc191]

Could be a pipe been too tightened so has crucnched the olive , or not tight enough , hard to say till you see it and have a look at it

 

[RealPolitik]

I'm just a bit confused as to why it would leak when there's nothing flowing through it - I would have expected a leak to be more likely when the pump is on.

 

[tryitandsee]

The pipework is still under pressure, albeit not by much, as the header tank in the loft will be topped up with water. Quite a head of water above.

Has Mrs Realpolitik been round with the hoover a bit too rigerously lately and knocked it!

 

[Charnwood]

Make a hole in the bottom of a bucket then fill the bucket with water.
The bucket will eventually empty, even though there's "nothing flowing through it".

 

[thfc191]

agree the water is still in the pipe it has no where to go and will be under pressure depends on header tank position on metres head

 

[tryitandsee]

Make a hole in the bottom of a bucket then fill the bucket with water.
The bucket will eventually empty, even though there's "nothing flowing through it"

Best answer I heard, brilliant

 

[RealPolitik]

I understand why the water leaks out, just surprised that it started doing so when the heating is off rather than on.

 

[Charnwood]

The cause of the leak will probably have nothing to do with whether the pump is on or off. It would have started to leak either way.

 

[Nige F]

I understand why the water leaks out, just surprised that it started doing so when the heating is off rather than on.

the system , when hot expands and can seal micro leaks - cools, contracts and there is the leak