UPDATE: can you use central heating when rad pipe leaking?

suered

Hi guys

pretty much as above- discovered rad pipe leaking this am. BG coming out on Tues am, but should/shouldn't I use central heating in the meantime or will it potentially make it worse? Thought I'd ask here before finding out in real life:eek:

Thanks!

alanobrien

You could use silicon sealant or something like this;
http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=212
as a tempory fix. As long as its only a few days it would be ok.

suered

Thanks, Alan- but wouldn't that make plumber's job more difficult getting it off?

malamute

If on pipe then small piece of rubber and then fit a jubilee clip over it and tighten up.
See attached link will illustrate exactly what i mean http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/temporary_pipe_repair_hosepipe_method.htm

personally one clip would be sufficient but its up to you!

suered

Update - upon closer inspection,it appears that the leak is coming from the valve (not the trv one,the other side), so would as far as diy goes i will wait for bg. in the meantime though, if i turn the heating on, is that likely to make it better inasmuch as the hot water would make the metal expand and possibly constrict the leak or worse in that it would increase water pressure (o level physics is a long way away and central heating knowledge is zilch)

thanks
an increasingly chilly person

malamute

Put a cloth to soak up any fluid that leaks then put on heating if leak get worse then switch back off. With the heating on it actually might reduce the leak but without trying you will not know. Dependant on type of heating you may loose pressure on your system.

Canucklehead

Hi

If the system is sealed then you will lose pressure and eventually the boiler will cut out.
On an open vented system with a FEED and expansion tank it will keep filling.

In the meantime (if the leak is making the carpet wet or whatever) tie a rag round the valve to wick the water into a container.



GSR

suered

Thanks both - I do have a bowl under collecting the drippings, so practical experiment it is. The system is one that you have to top up manually - so if i keep an eye on the pressure gauge and just top up if it falls?

alanobrien

suered wrote: »

Thanks, Alan- but wouldn't that make plumber's job more difficult getting it off?

Not really its quite simple to remove. The latter product is designed for emergency repair, i always keep some handy. I like the rubber/jubilee clip idea providing you can access the leak easily.

In a pressurised system its suprising how little leakage it takes for the pressure to drop and the boiler cut out so if it is pressurised you do need to seal it off asap to keep the system going.

suered

Thanks,Alan- as have now realised it's the valve am leaving alone. have also topped up the system andwill keep an eye on it

iamcornholio

Can't you just tighten the nut a bit?