Help wanted on a leaking draincock (?)

[TimA]

I have a leak in the draincock on the downstairs radiator. To me it looks like the draincock is soldered on to the paperwork so replacing is beyond my ability. Are the insides replaceable on a draincock as the leak is from the valve/spigot bit? Or do I need to replace the whole thing?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Your choices are to freeze the pipe, with a freezing kit, or let it drain down, to unscrew the square headed part completely. Under it, there will be a rubber tap washer, which has probably split.

 

[gas112]

have you tried tightening it .
Other than that take apart and change the washer

https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-hayes-mt-drain-cock-tap-washers-1-2-5-pack/6666J?tc=VA5&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249404&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=837555045&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPzNKL0poZEWOM38mcm-h23cU&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bvIBhBJEiwAu5ayrJIKzmPXIU0qEA2CQbIt_w4DorYu1xtHf5TknYkpCL1BOJbcUmcijhoCUdoQAvD_BwE

 

[TimA]

have you tried tightening it .
Other than that take apart and change the washer

https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-hayes-mt-drain-cock-tap-washers-1-2-5-pack/6666J?tc=VA5&gclsrc=aw.ds&ds_rl=1241687&ds_rl=1245250&ds_rl=1249404&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=837555045&gbraid=0AAAAAD8IdPzNKL0poZEWOM38mcm-h23cU&gclid=CjwKCAiA8bvIBhBJEiwAu5ayrJIKzmPXIU0qEA2CQbIt_w4DorYu1xtHf5TknYkpCL1BOJbcUmcijhoCUdoQAvD_BwE

Have tried loosening and tightening but no change. Feel it might be corroded inside if it has been leaking for ages which it has

 

[dilalio]

Drain down or vaccum lock it.
Remove innards including the old washer which will most likely need prising out... You can use a long screw to go through the hole and grip it to aid removal.

Replace washer or buy a new drain cock and harvest the innards.

 

[Alec_t]

Is that a drip of water or paint under the right-hand end of the draincock?

 

[TimA]

Is that a drip of water or paint under the right-hand end of the draincock?

Drip of paint - or whatever solder was used. Predates us owning the house but is not wet for certain

 

[TimA]

So I ordered what i thought was a replacement draincock but it seems shorter by a few mil in the main body

I guess the washer could be salvaged from teh new one and replace on the old but I wonder if this is an older style or make that I should try and track an exact replacement for?

 

[denso13]

Just try the washer and see if it fits. That's all it needs.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I guess the washer could be salvaged from teh new one and replace on the old but I wonder if this is an older style or make that I should try and track an exact replacement for?

Likely, the washer will fit, but you will not want to drain down, and be stuck with no heating if it doesn't..

Find a local plumbers merchant, start the job early in the morning, then if it doesn't fit, you can nip to the merchant for the correct part.

 

[Gasguru]

Unscrew the knurled ring first...then unscrew the square plug with the washer on the end.

 

[Razor900]

The guts will fit just fine

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I have a leak in the draincock on the downstairs radiator. To me it looks like the draincock is soldered on to the paperwork so replacing is beyond my ability.

What would sometimes happen, is that lazy plumbers would solder the drain cock on, without bothering to remove the rubber washer, the washer would easily be damaged by the heat of soldering the fitting.

 

[dilalio]

The guts will fit just fine

Wot he said ^^^.
And what I said

Drain down or vaccum lock it.
Remove innards including the old washer which will most likely need prising out... You can use a long screw to go through the hole and grip it to aid removal.

Replace washer or buy a new drain cock and harvest the innards.

 

[dilalio]

What would sometimes happen, is that lazy plumbers would solder the drain cock on, without bothering to remove the rubber washer, the washer would easily be damaged by the heat of soldering the fitting.

Asking for trouble if you do that and it will usually be evident immediately you fill up.