Leaking Valve in Airing Cupboard

[Palmist]

Untitled

• Palmist
• 29 Nov 2011
• 1

See the valve circled in blue.

I am not sure what this valve is and which way it should be. This is the one which is going in to hot water tank and the other end is joining the pipe between pump and divertor valve.

Its leaking since I turned it in an attempt to fix my other CH issue. Now its turned clockwise full and is leaking drops of water. The danger is that the leak is right above wiring cabinet. I am thinking I should have never touched this valve. Is there some sort of sealant I can use. Which way should it be turned ?

many thanks for any help.

 

[HERTS P&D]

It's a by-pass valve, you will need to drain down to remove and fit a new one.

Andy

 

[Palmist]

It's a by-pass valve, you will need to drain down to remove and fit a new one.

Andy

Thanks, what does it do and which way should it be normally ?

 

[Tom1981]

It allows water to be pumped back to the boiler creating a loop. Stops the boiler from overheating, some old systems have a by-pass radiator what does a similar job.

When replacing that gate valve set the new one a few turns open, not fully or your heating will suffer. Water likes to take the route of least resistance, you'd rather it goes to the rads and not around the by-pass.

On a note, have you tightened the gland nut on that valve, I can see it's covered in tape but a nip up might stop the drip

 

[Palmist]

It allows water to be pumped back to the boiler creating a loop. Stops the boiler from overheating, some old systems have a by-pass radiator what does a similar job.

When replacing that gate valve set the new one a few turns open, not fully or your heating will suffer. Water likes to take the route of least resistance, you'd rather it goes to the rads and not around the by-pass.

On a note, have you tightened the gland nut on that valve, I can see it's covered in tape but a nip up might stop the drip

Tom, much thanks, I have just figured out what you meant by gland nut and I have tightened it a bit, it did seem a bit on the loose side and turned easily for about 3/4 of the way. Feels all tight now.

The valve is set full clock wise, shall I leave it like that ?

 

[Palmist]

I can see it's covered in tape but a nip up might stop the drip

That attempt using the tape was an absolute waste of tape. It stopped the leak for may be 2 minutes.

 

[Tom1981]

Fully Clockwise is closed. Open it up 1 complete and 3/4 turn anti-clockwise.

If it weeps again just nip the nut up again, it's a pretty common thing for a gate valve to do. Same applies to radiator valves

 

[Palmist]

Fully Clockwise is closed. Open it up 1 complete and 3/4 turn anti-clockwise.

If it weeps again just nip the nut up again, it's a pretty common thing for a gate valve to do. Same applies to radiator valves

oohh dear, what would have happened had I left the valve closed for long. Could this be the reason that Grundfos pump is making a loud noise.

 

[Tom1981]

You have Y-Plan System (thats a valve with a flow in, but two outlets, on to the cylinder and one to the radiators).

Closing the by-pass on a y-plan system will cause you little issue, theres a likely hood you have a radiator without a Thermostatic Radiator valve fitted, normally in a hallway or bathroom. This will allow water to flow even if the Thermostatic radiator valves have closed off automatically. Don't worry if you don't have TRV's, at least one radiator will be fully open somewhere in the house.

 

[Palmist]

You have Y-Plan System (thats a valve with a flow in, but two outlets, on to the cylinder and one to the radiators).

Closing the by-pass on a y-plan system will cause you little issue, theres a likely hood you have a radiator without a Thermostatic Radiator valve fitted, normally in a hallway or bathroom. This will allow water to flow even if the Thermostatic radiator valves have closed off automatically. Don't worry if you don't have TRV's, at least one radiator will be fully open somewhere in the house.

life saver mate, thanks. I do have a thermostat thing in the hallway. All radiators just look bog standard.