fitting TRV's

[bhm1712]

i am fitting 3 TRV's in the upstairs of my house and just wondering if i can re use the old olives or will i need to try and get them off?

ive not tried yet but i have heard that they can be a pig to get off if they have never been touched since installation (21 years ago)

 

[simond]

You can use the old ones. A bit of PTFE tape will give you a better chance, btw.

 

[g20]

Well its actually highly unlikely that you can use the old ones, as the nuts will most likely not be compatable with the threads of the new valves (since they are 21yrs old)

You'll most likely have to:

1. Drain down system
2: Remove old valves (careful of black sludge dripping on carpets, use dust sheet)
3: Remove old stubs from rad (might need to buy a rad key)
4: push old nut down so you can see old olive, and cut through it using a junior hacksaw (take care not to cut through pipe only olive) alternatively buy an olive puller
5: pull old nut off once olive removed.
6: apply ptfe to new rad stub and tighten in rad
7: fit new trv's
8: refill system

 

[bengasman]

Best way to remove olives is with an olive cutter, olive pullers often don't fit on imperial thread.

 

[tamz]

It's highly likely you CAN use the old ones.
If they are 3/4 nuts to the valve you will have to change the tails.
You don't get old imperial half inch thread on nuts.
You get half inch BSP or Prestex / Kuterlite ( fine thread)
Nothing else on domestic rad valves.
If Prestex tails to radiator put a pair of footprintsbetween nut and radiator and move to the side.
The nut and ring WILL come off. Replace with new nut and ring.
Cut olive off pipe(cut at an angle and twist hacksaw blade to break).
Simple job.
If my apprentice couldn't change 6 in an hour i would kick his ar$e.