Vertical rad leak

[stealthwolf]

In the kitchen, we have one of these. It never really gets hot except at the top. But I've noticed it's been leaking.

I first thought it was from 1 or 2 and I've tightened them but it turns out it's from 3 (you might even be able to see a drop of water hanging off it). I've tried tightening it to no avail. I'm looking at just replacing the valve but is there anything else that would be a better option?

 

[dilalio]

The pipe is skewed which means it's not seated properly inside the valve. I could try to fudge it with PTFE and paste and maybe you can! Else it's adjusting pipework by elbows or digging up and repiping.

 

[dilalio]

Also if it's not getting hot, it could be a directional rad with baffles that require flow and return to be on prescribed sides.

 

[dilalio]

Also, also... looked at pic again... ferrule from rad can be cut down shorter and valve moved to the right, nearer the rad

 

[Madrab]

Also ..... Also .... Also ..... get that PTFE tape off the threads, waste of time it being there, the seal is made inside by the olive/adapter, not on the threads themselves, too much tape can actually stop the nut from being tightened enough to allow the internal seal to be made correctly.

Also ... Also ... Also .... Also .... agree with D, the rad tail (the pipe in between 1&2) can be shortened to pull that pipe straight, trouble is though that microbore pipe might be pinched now and trying to pull it straight might split it. I'd look to remake that little piece of pipe.

 

[nortonj]

Looks like its an adjustable rad tail from screwfix. Them things leak if you just look at them. Suggest you change it

 

[stealthwolf]

The pipe is skewed which means it's not seated properly inside the valve. I could try to fudge it with PTFE and paste and maybe you can! Else it's adjusting pipework by elbows or digging up and repiping.

I went down to have another look and there's a puddle. Tried to unscrew and readjust but it's just leaking everywhere so I've given up for tonight and have put some silicone sealant around it as a temporary job until I can get it sorted properly.

Also, also... looked at pic again... ferrule from rad can be cut down shorter and valve moved to the right, nearer the rad

I've had a look at the other rads. Upstairs ones are vertically straight but the downstairs ones emerge from between the floorboard and skirting at an angle and then go upwards. More than happy to realign the pipe.

Also ..... Also .... Also ..... get that PTFE tape off the threads, waste of time it being there, the seal is made inside by the olive/adapter, not on the threads themselves, too much tape can actually stop the nut from being tightened enough to allow the internal seal to be made correctly.

Believe me when I saw it's not jsut PTFE tape there. There's silicone sealant there too. Not just in the rad but elsewhere in the kitchen. I've long suspected whoever did some of the work around the house did a bodge job worse that I could ever do.

Looks like its an adjustable rad tail from screwfix. Them things leak if you just look at them. Suggest you change it

I don't like the rad but was planning on keeping it until we renovated the kitchen/utility into one room. I'm happy to replace the rad but is there one you'd recommend?

 

[nortonj]

Its not the rad. Its the rad tail it just unscrews out. If it is the extendable rad tail from screwfix i would def change it as it will only get worse.

 

[stealthwolf]

Its not the rad. Its the rad tail it just unscrews out. If it is the extendable rad tail from screwfix i would def change it as it will only get worse.

Sorry. Misread your post. Yup they're adjustable.

 

[Madrab]

Take the valve off the tail, shorten the tail and refit the valve, as the tail's now shorter it will allow the valve and ergo the pipe to move more right. if the pipe's kinked right at the point where it enter the bottom of the valve then it could be creased and therefore forcing it straight might burst it. I'd be draining down to that rad before starting.

 

[stealthwolf]

As a temporary fix I managed to wind some ptfe around the olive and tightened the nut. No more leaking.

Gonna buy some new valves and fittings to replace the ones already there. Will do it when it's a bit warmer.

 

[dilalio]

As a temporary fix I managed to wind some ptfe around the olive and tightened the nut. No more leaking.

Gonna buy some new valves and fittings to replace the ones already there. Will do it when it's a bit warmer.

PTFE = Plumbers' Tape For Everything!