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One of my rads won't turn off anymore. Is it simple to replace the thermostatic valve or do I have to go through the pain of finding tradesperson who will do a tiny job. Have plenty of tools and I can turn off water if that helps 😂
Fairly easy but a bit messy, turn off water and drain down, inevitably you will get dirty water on the carpet. Its easier if you have a suspended floor and can move the pipe down to free it from the radiator.
Have you tried fixing the valve, I've not had to touch them for ages but I think there is a pin that can stick.
Well ours are very easy, they don't need tools...there is a metal collar between the plastic bit that sets the temp and the radiator, this just unscrews and the bit lifts off... This bit might be damaged.
You could do this and check if the small pin that operated the valve is movable.. You might need pliars for this..
Or do you mean the brass bit in the rad itself?
Have you taken the TRV head off and battered the little springy stem bit with the back of a spanner until it moves yet? Not saying it'll definitely work but I've fixed a few stuck valves by doing that.
The video above shows how to remove the valve head although you shouldn't need to use tools to do so. Once it's off just give the stem a few taps with something sturdy to see if it'll start moving in and out again. If so problem solved. If not there are plenty of videos on YT that show how to change the valve. The main thing is preparation so as to prevent any shitty radiator water getting on your carpets.
Yup. Take the head off. Spray the pin with WD40 and gently tap it with a hammer. Spring will bounce up. Put head back on. Job done. Even SWMBO can do it here.....with a crib sheet!
Turn it off at the other end.
Depends what's wrong, I've had a few corrode and fall apart so complete replacement needed. This will involve a drain down and can get complicated, especially removing old olives on the copper pipe. The idiot that installed my radiators 18 years ago didn't use PTFE tape and relied on over tightening the nuts, when i took the old TRV off the pipe diameter was nearer 13mm than 15mm. I had to cut the deformed piece off and solder a connector and new piece of pipe on.
So could be straight forward or be a pig of a job, trouble is you may not know until you've drained the system down and removed valves which means no heating until you've fixed it.
Ah OK I'll try the easy thing 1st! Thanks for the advice everyone.
The idiot that installed my radiators 18 years ago didn’t use PTFE tape and relied on over tightening the nuts, when i took the old TRV off the pipe
If doing properly, you don’t use PTFE tape on threads as the olive does the sealing, see any PTFE on your brake olives? A smear of jointing compound to lubricate the threads and a light nip up should be all that’s required. People often overtighten them though.
perfect timing... just moved into a new house and one rad isn't working... will try this at the weekend.
cheers guys
The valve head doesn't need to be torqued up. No water flows through it. Finger tight is sufficient, and makes getting it off next time easier.
If you do decide to turn the rad off at both ends then count the number of turns it takes to close the other end valve and then make sure you open it up again the same number of turns or you'll un-balance the system.
Are we talking actually a gentle tap, or a proper whack. We've a rad which is always on full power so I've tried 'tapping' it with a pin hammer after a bit of WD40 and I still can't make it move on my own. So, actually whack it, or would I risk breaking the valve and having to deal with a leak in the heating?
Sometimes it needs a firm whack. Brown underpants time but get a big hammer and it will go - eventually.