Towel rail leaking from top joint

[bodneytrot]

Hi

I've got a traditional style towel radiator which is leaking from a joint at the top where the rail bit fixes to the main body. I'd always assumed it was all one piece but on closer inspection I can see a little grub screw on each side so it seems the rail part is detachable. I had a go at removing them to see if I could get the rail off but couldn't manage it. Anyone come across one of these or something similar before? All the ones I've looked at online see to be one piece. I'm hoping if I can get the rail off i can replace a seal or something?

 

[denso13]

Looks quite nice, do you know where it came from or was that before your time.

 

[CBW]

I haven’t personally, looks like it’ll be the Allen key grub screws, try some penetrating oil or wd-40? Have you tried to tighten the nut?

 

[bodneytrot]

Looks quite nice, do you know where it came from or was that before your time.

It was already in when I bought the house so no idea where its from or anything unfortunately!

 

[bodneytrot]

I haven’t personally, looks like it’ll be the Allen key grub screws, try some penetrating oil or wd-40? Have you tried to tighten the nut?

Yeah its an allen key for the grub screws. I tried tightening them (they were fairly loose) but that actually made it worse - it was only leaking on one side before, now its on both!

 

[CBW]

Yeah its an allen key for the grub screws. I tried tightening them (they were fairly loose) but that actually made it worse - it was only leaking on one side before, now its on both!

Oops... . You could always turn the valves off underneath, until you figure it out?

 

[terryplumb]

The grub screws need to be removed ,and the rail will pull out ,there are seals ,O rings I think, that need to be renewed. You will of course need to depressurise and isolate the radiator before doing this.

 

[Madrab]

Yup, turn it off just now in case it pops. You or a professional will need to release the pressure and get that off, chances are there'll be o-rings/seals in there and they'll be the part that's leaking. Usually that section would be welded to the main body of the rad.

 

[bodneytrot]

The grub screws need to be removed ,and the rail will pull out ,there are seals ,O rings I think, that need to be renewed. You will of course need to depressurise and isolate the radiator before doing this.

Yup, turn it off just now in case it pops. You or a professional will need to release the pressure and get that off, chances are there'll be o-rings/seals in there and they'll be the part that's leaking. Usually that section would be welded to the main body of the rad.

Yeah I wound the valves in to isolate it and the dripping has eased off. When you say depressurise it, is that just by opening up the bleed valve?

 

[terryplumb]

Yes ,or partial drain down if one of the valves does not close fully ,which can sometimes happen.
And be prepared for some water to come out if you don't drain down.

 

[CBW]

Yeah I wound the valves in to isolate it and the dripping has eased off. When you say depressurise it, is that just by opening up the bleed valve?

Yes.

 

[Gasplumber]

Just get a new towel rad ordered and a plumber 1 hour jobby

 

[bodneytrot]

Just get a new towel rad ordered and a plumber 1 hour jobby

I think I'll have to as I can't budge it. Given the pressure it must have been designed to withstand I don't think there's going to be much chance of pulling it off.

 

[Gasplumber]

Sometimes it’s easy and faster and a guaranteed fix ‍