Leaking Radiator

Hey guys, hoping someone can help.

I have a small leak from my rad, and I think it may be where the pipe connects to the rad itself, see the discolouration in the attached pic.



there’s only a very slight amount of water leakage, and it feels most wet underneath this connection.

How can I, an amateur, resolve this? Or does it need a plumber?

By way of background, the rads upstairs were hung (by “professionals”) using regular plugs in hollow walls. As a result they very quickly became very loose on the wall. This particular rad almost completely came off the wall, but we were there to stop it, and propped it up so the weight wasn’t all on the pipes. It was like this for a week or so, and then I plucked up the courage to drain it myself, remove it and refit the brackets with proper HWA, and reinstall the rad. I used ptfe tape on the threads when I reconnected, but not loads. I have since noticed a small leak on each side. The above pic is from the left side with the lock shield, and this is the bigger leak. Enough to dampen a tissue I’m semi-regularly replacing but not enough to collect in a container when I leave the tissue unchanged for several days!
The right TRV side is an even slighter leak. A very occasional drop, and I actually noticed this before I loosened the valve, so I think this may have happened when the rad dropped (or was a preexisting issue). I’ll sort the bigger leak first then address that one! Expect a separate post!

Thanks guys!

 

If it's leaking at the joint between the radiator tail and radiator tapping then the tail needs to be spun out, new tape applied and spun back in again.

Never use tape on the threads, it can stop the nut from being tightened up properly. Only use tape on the olives.

 

Thanks for the reply. What are the olives?!

 

first thing to check is the plug at the top of the rad above that valve, common for that to be the cause of the leak and running down inside the decorative panel

 

Thanks, just had a look/feel.
Top one feels bone dry, bottom one feels wet underneath.

 

You need to remove the tail from the radiator ,clean the threads ,apply PTFE tape to the tails thread ( around 12 full turns ) and re fit the tail into the rad .

 

thanks!

How to clean the threads? Wire brush or something?

And does quality of ptfe tape make a difference? I have some real cheap stuff that came in a cheap set. Won’t use it again if it’s worth getting better stuff though.

 

If The thread only has PTFE tape wrapped on ,just unwrap it off. If jointing compound has been applied ,wire brush it.
If you think the PTFE tape that you have is in any way suspect ,bin it and buy a new roll....it won't break the bank

 

Where the nut and valve are joined, within that joint is the olive, it sits on the pipe and is compressed by the nut and the fitting. That's the part of a compression joint that creates the watertight seal.



I use gas PTFE on the tails, as I have it my bag anyway, much thicker so only takes 5 wraps.