Leaking Radiator
 

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Leaking Radiator

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After a couple of pressure drops I noticed a slow leak on one of my radiators. It appears to be leaking from the very edge where some paint had flaked off. I've turned the valves either side of the radiator off and re pressurised the system so it's not urgent but I'd like to repair the radiator if possible. It's in a small downstairs room that's used as an office.

Anyone repaired a metal radiator? Is it even possible? It's old, about a meter long, and pretty common design. Can't afford a new one.


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 9:10 pm
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I've had some success patching leaking radiators with this 

The repairs have lasted several years so far.


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 9:19 pm
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Screwfix sell a range of radiator sealants. Not tried any myself so unsure if they really work long term.
I bet chemfix would seal it externally if ypu prepped the area well enough. Or maybe a sealant called the works which goes off underwater.


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 9:37 pm
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Is it on one of the bleed valves, or just one weld seam / pressed seam or on the surface?


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 9:46 pm
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Can’t afford a new one.

Have you looked? Depending on size, a replacement from somewhere like Screwfix rather than the usual suspects starts at like eleven quid. A 600x1100 is £40.


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 10:22 pm
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A new type 11 1000mm is £30 so I’d be wary about spending £10 on a tube of glue that may or may not work.


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 10:22 pm
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Is it the actual radiator or the valve/fittings on one end?


 
Posted : 19/10/2022 11:27 pm
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I'd replace, not massively difficult and if it's failed once, it'll go again. If all your radiators are the same age it's just a matter of time before the next ones goes. I've replaced all mine over a 3 year period as I've decorated, they were all coming up on 2pmyears old and a few had developed pin hole leaks or weeps.


 
Posted : 20/10/2022 8:03 am
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Yep I'd say replace. Not much you can do that will last and you'll trust.


 
Posted : 21/10/2022 7:53 am
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If it is leaking at a seam rather than a point of damage or the valves then I would replace it. The bit of the seam that finally leaked is not the only part that has corroded.

The entire seam is likely to be close to breaking and it just happened at that spot first. You could spend a tenner to fix it only to disturb another point that starts leaking. As people have said, it is probably better and still quite cheap to just stick the cheapest replacement you can find in its place. You can always replace that with a nice expensive one when you feel rich.

Think of the cheap replacement as a better, bigger lump of metal epoxy.


 
Posted : 21/10/2022 8:05 am
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I have bought still in packing rads off Facebook market place for £10-20 so keep your eye out There as well


 
Posted : 21/10/2022 8:31 am

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