Leak from 'ends' of radiator after HW cylinder re-fitting

[ben85]

Hi,

I got my HW cylinder replaced today as my old one was leaking.

That all went fine, the engineer noticed that my radiator in the hallway apparently had a very small leak, ie a few drips every now and then. He then removed my radiator and fitted a new valve on one side and the connected it back up.

The 'ends' of the radiator whatever they are, i believe the joint where the valve plugs in the radiator are leaking a few drops of water each, only very slowly but it's still a damn leak

What do I do about the problem, attempt to clean them up and solder around the joint area, even though this will make removal harder that will be a problem in the far future.

Or do I contact the engineer bloke and tell him, he's not obliged to do anything but will he

Regards

BW

 

[bengasman]

Valve tails leaking = remove, clean, redo. No other way unfortunaltely. I doubt your cylinder change had anything to do with though, pure coincidence imho.

 

[bathstyle]

He should come back to sort out the rad valve that he replaced and he should sort the other side out while he's there too....and you should pop 20 quid into his pocket for doing the work

 

[ben85]

Hi,

Yes, I'm positive the HW cylinder change had nothing to do with it, what it was I guess was removing an old radiator which had been there for ages and the previous owner liked lathering paint around the fittings!

Shall I attempt to do this myself?, I have a conventional system (2 tanks in loft with HW cylinder) or mention this to the engineer?

Want to this sorted by the end of the weekend!, somehow!

 

[bengasman]

In itself it is a fairly easy job. Drain system, take the valves off, tails out, clean the thread of the rad, wrap half a dozen turns of tape around the tails (tightly) and screw the tails in.
I would use the opportunity to replace the old valves with a new trv set. PTS and plumbcentre's own brand are rebadged siemens afaik, pretty good for a tenner. Stick the prv on the flow (inlet) side.
And remember to stick a bottle of inhibitor in the system when you refill.

 

[bathstyle]

Could be even simpler if it's an open vented system, airlock it, replace valve, re seal rad tail , let bungs go, well under an hour

 

[ben85]

Yes I see what you're saying. One small problem though I believe. The engineer mentioned he could not find the 'nipple' on the radiator valve to drain the system, I believe he drained it by connecting his near to something near the cylinder. This cannot be done again as I am keeping the cylinder so how can I drain my system without this nipple?

Regards

BW

 

[bathstyle]

I change rad valves in houses via the airlock method and don't even drain the rad, if the Plumber is worth anything he will be able to do the same.

 

[bengasman]

You should have a draincock at the lowest part of the system that is readily accessible, and if half possible, near an outside door so you can dump it in the drain.
What would you do without one, if the system suddenly springs a leak?
Easy enough to install one, even with the sysem filled, if you know how. Not a job I would recommend for diy though.

 

[Nige F]

Not going to diss the plumber.... but if I find those small leaks ,I re-do the joint with hemp+ bosswhite, (never on wholesome water pipework of course ). That` cuz I started plumbing in the 70`s - wasn`t born in them

 

[JayJay1978]

Whats all this talk of draining the system?

Get an expandable bung and block off the header tank cold feed outlet at the bottom of the tank, get a 22mm pushfit cap and bung the open vent over the tank.

You can open one valve at a time and after a cup full of water comes out it will create a vaccum by the fact that no air can get in at the top.

Remove both bungs after use.

If its only leaking from the joint after the rad valve then why drain the system anyway?

 

[bathstyle]

Been mentioned

 

[JayJay1978]

I know Bathstyle, I was backing you up.

 

[bathstyle]

I notice you were born in 78?

A lot of the older Plumbers don't use the Bung method. I'm in favour of it, even done a few motorised valves using it. best tip of the last 20 years

 

[andytheplumber]

Did you drain the system before you started to solder the joints