No lockshield valves on our rads?

[Ginolard]

Those are 2 pics of one of the radiators in our house, they are all the same model. I want to balance the system as quite a few of the rads never get very hot

However, from what I've read there should be some lockshield valves but our rads don't have them do they? Please don't tell me they are under the floor!

What do I need to do to balance the system in this case?

Oil-fired combination boiler system if that's any help

Im

http://imgur.com/Je2wHI2
http://imgur.com/eoEc0sU

 

[TeaTime]

I doubt your lockshields are under the floor.

By the looks of it, they were never fitted.

I think you will not be able to balance the rad properly without them.

 

[Ginolard]

Sigh....great.

We have real trouble heating the entire house. It's a pretty big house and quite a few of the upstairs rads rarely get hot enough to heat the rooms adequately so I'm sure it needs balancing.

I guess the only option is to replace all the rads then or can lockshield valves be fitted to the rads?

 

[TeaTime]

I'm not too sure why you are having trouble with the heating though, usually the lockshields are fully open. And only adjusted slightly to balance.

Try taking the heads off the TRV's and working the pin a bit.
Sometimes they stick and dont open properly.

 

[D_Hailsham]

usually the lockshields are fully open. And only adjusted slightly to balance.

I agree with the usually, but they shouldn't be anywhere near fully open. In fact they should be less than one turn open and may be only a 1/4 turn open when properly balanced.

As for why there is no LS valve, some possible reasons:

1. The owner didn't want to spend the money;
2. The installer couldn't be bothered;
3. The installer didn't think they were needed if TRVs are fitted;
4. There is a balancing facility built into the TRV.

As for option 4, take the head off the TRV and take an end on pic (same as existing pic) of the part attached to the pipe work.

 

[Gasguru]

There is probably a balancing facility built into the valve...either the TRV pin assembly can be preset or perhaps under the hex cap on the top there is adjustment.

 

[Ginolard]

usually the lockshields are fully open. And only adjusted slightly to balance.

I agree with the usually, but they shouldn't be anywhere near fully open. In fact they should be less than one turn open and may be only a 1/4 turn open when properly balanced.

As for why there is no LS valve, some possible reasons:

1. The owner didn't want to spend the money;
2. The installer couldn't be bothered;
3. The installer didn't think they were needed if TRVs are fitted;
4. There is a balancing facility built into the TRV.

As for option 4, take the head off the TRV and take an end on pic (same as existing pic) of the part attached to the pipe work.

Given some of the decisions taken by the previous owners I would highly suspect 1).

However, I'll take some pics of the TRVs tonight and post them

 

[Terrywookfit]

My guess is that you have a badly designed 1 pipe system.

It was the norm not to fit a lockshield valve.