How can I turn this radiator valve off?

[moonhog]

Hello, can anyone help me with this radiator valve?

I'm trying to remove a radiator for plastering / decorating. At one end, there is a thermostatic valve which is fine. And at the other end is this, with a smooth round spindle and flat top:

Any ideas on how to turn this off? I've only ever see the lockshield type with a squared top that you turn with pliers (although I've only ever removed 2 radiators before...)

Thank you in advance.

 

[WabbitPoo]

Get some grips on the top bit and slowly turn it off, holding the rest of the valve with more grips to stop the whole thing coming loose. If I were you I'd replace it anyway as once you've decorated you don't want that ugly thing in place, do you?

 

[moonhog]

Cheers - I thought that might be the answer, but didn't want to risk damaging the valve and causing a leak. Is that how this type of valve is supposed to be opened?

And yes - I'll get a pro in to bleed the system and change the valves etc. once I've finished. Just wanted to save a call-out fee for this, the other radiators were easy to remove.

 

[it's not that hard]

you will be lucky to turn that, someone has already snapped the square top off, but give it go use wd40

 

[sooey]

Loosen the gland nut a bit first.

 

[moonhog]

Thanks for replies. Using WD40, grips and pliers I've turned it clockwise as far as I can, it's almost flush with the nut:

I can't tell whether it will turn much more or not, but I do have some spare blanking nuts.
Would it be advisable to remove the rad, and put a blanking nut straight over any potential leak? Could that work?

That way I can carry on with decorating, and call in someone to do a proper replacement afterwards.

 

[jeff the gasman]

My god OP excluded, you don't half get some numpties on this open forum.

 

[dilalio]

Old bath towels and buckets at the ready... Go!

 

[Madrab]

Is it a sealed system, do you have a pressure gauge anywhere? If so turn off all the other rads, counting the lockshield valve turns on each one, so they can be returned to that setting, and vent that rad until all the pressure's gone. Alternatively bung the feed tank. Then crack the rad nut and drain into a tray until no more water. It'll give you the best option for getting it done & minimise system inhibitor loss as chances are that valve won't be fully turned off.

 

[moonhog]

Job done. That valve was closed, in fact the thermostatic valve on the other side leaked.... both ends are now capped, radiator is off and the system re-pressurised and working fine.

Thanks for the advice/suggestions.

 

[dilalio]

 

[it's not that hard]

My god OP excluded, you don't half get some numpties on this open forum.

he turned it off,job done that's all he wanted to do for now,so who's the numpty ? apart from the suggestion loosen the gland nut,are you NVQ not very qualified lol