TRV - Are they a waster of time

[carlgarton]

Not a plumber but a very, very good DIY'er

Just refitted my daugters bedroom and installed/piped in a new radiator (the old one approx was 20 years old)

THE PROBLEM:

Fitted a TRV and locksheild. Raditor is not getting very hot even when on the highest setting, bedroom is cold. Top of radiator is hot and bottom cold.

Have just taken off TRV and everything is OK. Radiator gets HOT.

Are TRV's just a waste of time?

Thanks

 

[Rob]

You've probably got a faulty or cheap one. What make is it?

They are certainly not a waste of time

 

[ChrisR]

May very well be nothing to do with the valves. Tried balancing the system?

 

[carlgarton]

TRV is by Regla, purchased from B&Q.

Not sure wether balancing would make a difference as everything is working OK when TRV is off.

 

[Nixt]

TRV is by Regla, purchased from B&Q.

You can rest your case Rob.

 

[carlgarton]

OK, Great but if cheap TRV's dont work (dont understand why this is the case - should I complain IE not fit for purpose!?) could you please recommend a TRV that will.

It has to be bi-flow as I am not aware of the pipe arrangements.

Cheers

 

[Rob]

Drayton TRV4s are one of the best. Bout £15

 

[Nixt]

OK, Great but if cheap TRV's dont work (dont understand why this is the case - should I complain IE not fit for purpose!?)

You can always try, but I fear the words 'strong wind', 'against' and 'p**s' might come in to play.

 

[Return to the Shed]

are you sure when you put it back on the pin isn't getting stuck, that's just happened to me, i took it off fiddled with it, now it works fine!


try taking it back and say it doesn't work. you should get refund then buy a decent one!

 

[D_Hailsham]

Have just taken off TRV and everything is OK. Radiator gets HOT.

Did you remove the complete valve, i.e. replace it with a standard valve, or just remove the head to expose the pin? If the first, then suspect the TRV; but if the second, then the radiator may need balancing.

Where is the radiator in the chain of rads? If it is near the boiler/pump, try closing down the lockshield valve to reduce the flow through the rad. This will make the radiator get hotter.

All radiators need balancing, including those with TRVs. There is some useful information on balancing rads with TRVs at:

Drayton Commissioning Instructions