Radiator Valve Inserts????

[mickeydolenz]

A couple of my radiators have a slight leak coming from the right hand side valve. Ive spoke to someone who reckons all I need to do is drain down and fit new inserts that can be bought almost anywhere???
Is this the case?? are all inserts a standard size?? This make is called cosmos.

Any help is much appreciated.

 

[JohnD]

It might be the "O" rings he is thinking of, if the leak is round the brass spindle, yes, you can change them. However a new radiator valve will cost you about £1.35 (if it is not a thermostatic one) so it might not be worth the time and trouble mending the old (unless the pipes come up through a concrete floor and will not move to accommodate any slight size differences).

Have you already got thermostatic valves, and plenty of drain-off points? These are very handy on your downstairs rads as they incorporate a drain-off you can push a hosepipe onto

And here is a cheap valve http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=16343&ts=37222

 

[mickeydolenz]

It might be the "O" rings he is thinking of, if the leak is round the brass spindle, yes, you can change them. However a new radiator valve will cost you about £1.35 (if it is not a thermostatic one) so it might not be worth the time and trouble mending the old (unless the pipes come up through a concrete floor and will not move to accommodate any slight size differences).

Have you already got thermostatic valves, and plenty of drain-off points? These are very handy on your downstairs rads as they incorporate a drain-off you can push a hosepipe onto

And here is a cheap valve http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=16343&ts=37222

Thanks for the reply. The leaks are around the spindle are they a standard size??, I have already got the thermostatic valves on the left hand side of the rads.

Thanks for all the info.

 

[chrishutt]

In most cases it is only necessary to tighten the gland nut to stop the leak. Have you tried this?

 

[JohnD]

Thanks for the reply. The leaks are around the spindle are they a standard size?

Not always, they can vary a little bit, but if your pipes come up through a wooden floor, or have a horizontal run cliuped to the wall, they will usually take up any slight difference.

Often you can re-use the existing nuts and tails already on the radiator, which saves a little time. The older your old valves are, the more likely to be a slightly different size.

This is a good time of year to work on the CH, you can give it a flush through and a chemical clean after you've drained it and fitted a bunch of new valves, then refill with fresh inhibitor when you are sure it is working with no leaks. Of course, the boiler must be turned off while it is drained.

 

[mickeydolenz]

In most cases it is only necessary to tighten the gland nut to stop the leak. Have you tried this?

I tried that Chris but unfortunatly it still has a slight leak.

 

[mickeydolenz]

Thanks for the reply. The leaks are around the spindle are they a standard size?

Not always, they can vary a little bit, but if your pipes come up through a wooden floor, or have a horizontal run cliuped to the wall, they will usually take up any slight difference.

Often you can re-use the existing nuts and tails already on the radiator, which saves a little time. The older your old valves are, the more likely to be a slightly different size.

This is a good time of year to work on the CH, you can give it a flush through and a chemical clean after you've drained it and fitted a bunch of new valves, then refill with fresh inhibitor when you are sure it is working with no leaks. Of course, the boiler must be turned off while it is drained.

Cheers for the info John.

 

[JohnD]

pleasure.