Crunchy Radiator Valve

[jwhepper]

Hi All,

Discovered two of my radiator valves were leaking and have damaged the wooden floor underneath, unfortunately. After living with cups underneath them for about three months, I finally figured I should sort them out.

One of them I tightened up with a wrench (stabilising the valve with pliers) and it seemed to sort out all the problems.

The second one was leaking from just below the white valve part at the top. While tightening the metal nut I noticed it was ‘crunchy’ feeling and there was a lot of limescale buildup around the nut and where it had been dripping (limescale is a bad problem where I live!)

It now appears to be dripping worse than it was before. Not sure if the limescale has wrecked the seal or something.

In your opinion(s), is it time for a new TRV valve? Is there another option I may have missed? They’re only about £15 so I’m tempted to just go down that route…

Thanks for any help or advice.
John

 

[ChrisJP]

Yes, I think replacement valves are the best way forward. In my experience, once radiator valves start to leak, it can be possible to stop the leak in the short term, but it doesn't last and leaking will start again.

 

[jwhepper]

Yes, I think replacement valves are the best way forward. In my experience, once radiator valves start to leak, it can be possible to stop the leak in the short term, but it doesn't last and leaking will start again.

Thanks - wasn’t sure if that was massive overkill or not but I had a feeling that’d be the case… appreciate the reply!

J

 

[Madrab]

TRV's use o-rings in there, therefore no matter how much tightening is employed it will still leak. The limescale will probably have accelerated the wear on the o-rings so time to replace