Replacing TRV head, & stuck pins

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Hi all

Newbie here.

Moved house - several of the radiators seem to have 1 setting, being "hotter than hell in August."

One of them has the head missing completely - are these industry standard fittings? (See pic) - is it that a head is a head is a head, if I get one on Amazon?

Also re the FAQ regarding stuck pins (presumably why they're stuck in various positions) - the one in the pic; that pin wasn't moving at all.

I gave it a light tap with a hammer and now it moves but literally about 1-2mm tops. Not keen on applying more pressure in case I break it, but is this the right amount of movement or does it suggest it's a bit knackered?

Cheers
Matt

p.s. I will be cleaning those pipes/joints!
 

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Each brand /model of valve has it's own type of head seldom interchangeable, the spindle on that one has started to leak, best really to bite the bullet and fit new valves all round.
 
Thanks mate - bit annoying; you'd think they'd have an industry-standard for this kind of thing. Doesn't help that mine are all "Reliance" which doesn't seem to be on Amazon, but I'll do some digging.

I did notice that small leak actually. I guess I should just go round and do the lot, as you say.

Do I need a plumber for this? I'm assuming I can just isolate the water, leave the heating off, drain the rads, then remove the old valves and screw new ones in - would you agree, or am I over-simplifying it? Is there any kind of calibration required, or do they just bolt straight in and you're away?

Really appreciate your help, thanks mate.

Matt
 
Just called Reliance, and they've not done TRVs for about 10 years now! So yep, new valves it is then.

Thanks again buddy.
Matt
 
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Pretty simple job if you are ok with draining your system, no need to adjust they take care of themselves.
Before fitting run the system from cold to see which end of the rads get hot first (flow side) some valves are sensitive to the water direction but most these days can be fitted either way round. Just avoid changing the adjustment on the balancing valve at the other end. Keep the heads clear of washing etc or they will not sense the room temp. I have been called out to a faulty valve not coming on only to find a fluffy Teddy sitting on it!
 
Pretty simple job if you are ok with draining your system, no need to adjust they take care of themselves.
Before fitting run the system from cold to see which end of the rads get hot first (flow side) some valves are sensitive to the water direction but most these days can be fitted either way round. Just avoid changing the adjustment on the balancing valve at the other end. Keep the heads clear of washing etc or they will not sense the room temp. I have been called out to a faulty valve not coming on only to find a fluffy Teddy sitting on it!

I'd never have thought of that... even though the name "thermostatic" pretty much tells you it's a thermostat...! It just didn't occur to me. We have a couple which have long curtains hanging over them, so that might explain why the living room gets so bloody cold so quick compared to other rooms.

Thanks again buddy, I really appreciate your advice here.

Matt
 
Just as an aside male sure you pick up a rad spanner before draining as the tails will need changing and bang some inhibitor in before refilling assuming its not a primatic cylinder of course.
 
Just as an aside male sure you pick up a rad spanner before draining as the tails will need changing and bang some inhibitor in before refilling assuming its not a primatic cylinder of course.

Thanks mate, but the more I read this, the more I'm thinking I should get a professional to do it... when I thought it was just "drain the water out, screw new valves on, put the water back on, enjoy" I was fine with it, but there's a reason you guys spend years learning this stuff ;) Buy cheap, buy twice as my dad says.

Fortunately a mate of mine is a plumber so will slip him a few quid.

As an aside, before this morning I didn't have the first clue about TRVs.

We've got 3 different rooms where the TRVs are partially or fully obscured (curtains, or piles of stuff), and I've just gone round unscrewing all the TRV heads out of interest and found literally every single one has a stuck pin. I didn't even know it was a thing... Moved in here in June '17, house built in 2002 so I'd imagine these are the original valves (as all the appliances are on their arse too, so makes sense everything just needs updating).

With a bit of maintenance, maybe this will solve why certain parts of the house are quick to go back to "seriously bloody cold" while other bits don't. I don't even need TRVs really - I just set everything via the wireless thermostat, I don't need different temps in different rooms. But useful to have I guess.

thanks again gents - can't thank you enough as usual.

Matt
 

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