Stuck radiator valve

[elsmandino]

Hi there. I have been checking our radiators for the upcoming winter (ironically, over the hottest weekend of the year) and one of my radiator valves is stuck closed, so I cannot bleed it. I bought a radiator key but it is too big - in the past, I have just used a pair of pliers but they just won't budge it this time. What are my options?

I can either continue to have a go with getting the tiny square screw open or should I cut my losses and try and replace the entire valve with a new one?

 

[Wayners]

Get a socket set.
Find a socket smaller than grub screw that don't fit on.
Couple of smacks with a hammer will shape the brass to the socket.
Very often the bleed screw comes loose when I've done this in the past.
If not when socket it's on use your socket wrench.

I've advised customers to get the radiator replaced as that's a cheap DIY job if you are game, and looking at the rust and corrosion in picture I would advise you do that sometime before winter this year.

 

[denso13]

Time for a new radiator. Does it actually need bled though?

 

[elsmandino]

Thanks guys - I shall see if I can get through this winter and aim to upgrade all my radiators, next year - they are all very old anyway.

I drained my system down, to put TRVs on every radiator so this radiator does need bleeding as it is empty.

Slightly off track but the radiator that needs bleeding is a long single one that bends round a bay window - what would I update that with?

The reason I ask is that I have seen photos of people replacing these with two doubles instead.

 

[denso13]

You can get self drilling replacements if the existing one is too far gone. Bespoke rads are expensive, would normally replace with a suitably sized one or two.

Easi Bleed. Simple solution to broken radiator bleed screw

Simple solution to broken radiator bleed screw

www.easibleed.co.uk

 

[gas112]

put a pic up of the other side of radiator