What sort of radiator valve is this?

[nrage147]

I have a new house with a mess of a heating system. A couple of the radiators have these valves which have a screw on cap. They do not seem to be adjustable like a lock shield valve (thought one does turn a little with a wrench). So.. I am wondering what exactly they are, what they're for, and whether I should just replace them with a TRV or lockshield.

 

[Fred Blogs]

they are adjustable you need to get a spanner on the flats on the spindle. Looking at those though they could well be stuck open. they are standard lock shield valves, or at least that one is.

 

[nrage147]

Thanks. I will give the spanner a go.. which part should turn the top shaft (blue arrow) or the hex shaped (green arrow) thing below?

 

[Fred Blogs]

The top bit but be careful. If the valve is jammed you could break the spindle off and that could cause all sorts of wet havoc.

 

[nrage147]

The top bit but be careful. If the valve is jammed you could break the spindle off and that could cause all sorts of wet havoc.

Thanks for the warning.. I might play it safe and get it (and many other valves) replaced.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Adjust the upper part, with the blue arrow. The plastic top you removed, was just a cap, to hide the valve, which is just a lock shield valve. Some have an adjuster cap. The idea is to balance the flow, through each radiator, using those valves.