Radiator Valves - One on and the other off

[verduijn]

Hey

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what would happen if the wheelhead valve was all the way open, whilst the lockshield valve was all the way closed.

As I understand it one is for letting water in, the other for letting water out - but what happens when it can't get out? Will the cause problems elsewhere in the system, or does it mean that the radiator simply won't get warm?

All thoughts are welcome !

Thanks

 

[JohnD]

radiators work by having hot water flow through them.
If either valve is closed there is no flow in that rad.

If either or both valves are partially closed flow, and therefore heat output, is reduced.

It does no harm to close off one or more rdiators.

You should not close all radiators at the same time (except during maintenenace and repair). As long as at least one is open all the water will go through that remaining one, possibly noisily. It is usual to leave the rad which is in the same room as the wall stat, open.

Some systems have a bypass to relieve pressure and permit some flow if all the rads have been (incorrectly) closed at the same time.