Towel rail leaking

[CountryFan]

Edit

 

[CoffeeCake]

Thank you. Do you suggest swapping the whole unit (chrome part as well) or is it possible to change just the brass valve? Also is it something I can do it would you suggest a plumber.

 

[terryplumb]

Replace the complete valve.
Its not rocket science to change the valve ,it's essentially connected to the pipe at one end ,and the radiator at the other end .
Although plumbers can swap valves over without draining ,I would suggest that you drain the systems water to a lower level than the radiator.
Is your system sealed/ pressurised ,or is it fed from a small loft tank ( called an F&E cistern) ?

 

[CoffeeCake]

I have a heat only condensing boiler on the ground floor attached to a water cylinder. It is pressurized and I have been re pressurizing it when the pressure drops. This towel rail is on the first floor bathroom. There is another towel rail in the same bathroom which is physically located lower than this one. I could drain this lower one. Also - is there any downside if I bought a complete valve unit but just swapped the brass unit leaving the existing fitting between the pipe and the towel rail? It looks like a standard 1/2 inch fitting.
Thanks for all your help! Really appreciate it.

 

[terryplumb]

If you can buy the exact same brand / model of radiator valve you could swap parts. But what's the point ,you would still need to drain out to do that ? Much better to fit a complete new rad valve.
Draining another radiator in the bathroom would be of no help.Drain point on a ground floor level would be used.

 

[terryplumb]

Just took another look at your picture, can you clean up all the black stuff of the valve ,till it's bright and shiny and take another pic. It may have a gland that can be repacked ,rather than O rings.

 

[CoffeeCake]

Thanks, tried elbow grease but not much black stuff coming off. Attaching pictures from different angles.

 

[terryplumb]

Thanks ,it doesn't look like a gland nut. The hexagonal shape( at the spindle end) doesn't look like a separate nut, it seems to be an integral part of the brass body. Is it ??

 

[CoffeeCake]

It actually does look like a separate nut, I will try cleaning it a bit more tomorrow. How do I get to the packing? I am guessing I could have a go at applying ptfe after unscrewing it?

 

[terryplumb]

If it is a separate nut ,unscrewing it would reveal the gland,which you could repack with PTFE tape.

 

[CoffeeCake]

Ok will try this and get back. Thanks!

 

[terryplumb]

A bit of wire wool or sandpaper to clean it bright would be useful .

 

[CountryFan]

Just took another look at your picture, can you clean up all the black stuff of the valve ,till it's bright and shiny and take another pic. It may have a gland that can be repacked ,rather than O rings.

This was my thought when I edited above.

 

[terryplumb]

Yeah ,it's hard to tell until it's cleaned up.

 

[CoffeeCake]

Cleaned it up!