Radiator - PTFE or Jointing Compound or Something else?

Hi Folks,

Took some radiators off recently for replastering. All was fine. Have come to put back the radiator in the guest room and when reconnecting found that water leaked out from under the securing nut. At this stage it never occured to me that PTFE or Jointing Compound would be needed. Have got this now but wanted to make sure I was putting the right stuff on the right bits!

I've added some pictures in my 'Radiator' album of my profile. I'm assuming I should be putting something on the tiny bit of thread thats left at the end of the rad and outside of the thread of the pipe?

Any help appreciated!

Those nuts don't usually need anything on them to make the seal as long as both faces are clean and not damaged. I'm wondering if the leak is where the tail (with the hex shape inside) is screwed in tightly enough. This tail should have Ptfe tape on or preferably loctite 55.

Andy.

Hi Andy

Do you mean the part to the right of the nut in the pictures? The black end with the threaded part?

In your picture, the thread is not the seal, so does not need tape or paste.

The seal is the rounded surfaces which should fit tightly together. You have to align and mate them well before doing up the nut. It can be easier if the valve is not held rigidly on its pipe so you can wobble the two rounded parts together. You can put several turns of tape on the "male" rounded part, it will accommodate a small amount of poor fit.

Rub the two rounded parts with wire wool or green scourer if there are any traces of hardened old paste or dirt that could interfere with the seal.