Can I Solder This?

C

chuckalicious

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Noticed one of my radiators is leaking at the joint between the microbore and what looks like a sleeve going into the bottom of the TRV. I have a photo of this but the uploader is erroring. Think the sleeve might be increasing the pipe size to fit the valve.

If I drain the system can I Solder the joint (using a standard soldering iron) or do I need to do something else?

Cheers
 
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Have you just tried nipping up the backnut on the TRV? Leak might be coming from there!

Try and get that photo uploaded... you can always use another image repository and just link to it on here!
 
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Standard soldering iron will not be able to heat the area to the required temperature to be able to allow the solder and flux to flow freely and wet and cling. if the sleeve you are talking is able to be removed from the rad and you were soldering something else to it, and it was not a massive body, then you may be able to heat the part on a gas flame and then use soldering iron to help flow your solder as well as flux of good quality. Without a picture it is not possible to say exact.
 
The chrome nut can be tightened up, if that's leaking. But support the valve with some grips or wrench so you don't twist it.
The 8mm to 15mm reducer would either need resoldering or repkacing and that needs some plumbing skills/equipment.
 
Thanks. The leak is coming from the joint rather than the valve. If I can get hold of the soldering stuff I assume it is pretty straight forward?
 
Resoldering isn't the easiest option, it's much better to cut the pipe lower down and use a straight connector to add a new short length of pipe with a new joint into the valve. You can either duplicate what you have by using a 15 to 8 reducer, or a 15 to 8 reducing olive (easier).

In either case, to solder that pipe you need to remove the water completely, as any remaining will cool the pipe so the solder will not run/stick.

Mick
 
Thanks Mick. I'm assuming I'll need to drain it all anyway won't I as it is a pressurised system.

*Edit* ignore me. You said in either case :)
 
Last edited:
If you've never done any plumbing soldering then... good luck sorting that!

Do a bit of bench practice first before attempting that repair!

If time and money is a factor... get a plumber in to do it for you :)
 
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