Leaky Radiator Valve

madmish00

I made the mistake earlier today of trying to remove a radiator as I have a plasterer coming tomorrow.

The radiator has a drain valve and I shut the radiator off (thermostatic valve - capped) and then drained it down. Unfortunately when it came to disconnecting the outlet valve from the radiator it was jammed tight (looks like someone may have used some kind of plumbers putty on it previously)

My only option was therefore to remove the valve at the pipe so that I could take the radiator off and get the valve out.

However when I have fitted a new valve I cannot get it to stop dripping even with that radiator still turned off. As soon as I fill the system back up it starts to drip. The pipework is 10mm but had a 15mm valve fitted to it with a reducer. Part of the reducer is attached to the pipe and although it moves about slightly will not come off which means I cannot replace with a 10mm valve (unless anyone can tell me how I get this off).

The radiator is dripping slowly both from where the valve meets the radiator and where the valve meets the pipe. I have removed and replaced radiators before without any hassle so I can't understand why this one is being such a pain.

Any suggestions as to how I can fix this without getting a plumber/how much it would cost to get a plumber to fix?

Many Thanks

keystone

Part of the reducer is attached to the pipe and although it moves about slightly will not come off which means I cannot replace with a 10mm valve (unless anyone can tell me how I get this off).

Do you mean the reducer or the olive is moving about. Sounds like the whole thing just isn't nipped up enough. The "plumbers putty" is probably jointing compound.

As you have a leak at both the rad and the valve I'd take the rad off, bung a stop end on the pipework (making arrangements to catch the drips) and leave it for the spread to do his work.

Cheers

madmish00

Do you mean the reducer or the olive is moving about. Sounds like the whole thing just isn't nipped up enough. The "plumbers putty" is probably jointing compound.

The reducer is moving about. Doesn't move up and down much but spins around. The olive is fixed tight.

I've managed to sort the drip on the radiator side now so it is just the leak from the bottom of this reducer.

spadoosh

have you used PTFE tape? Normally sorts out most drips round rad valves. Can't imagine your parts being wrong size (ie 10 mm reducer not fitting 10 mm pipe) worst comes to worst cut back further along the 10mm pipe and put your reducer in then have a decent length of 15 mm going to the radiator valve will look odd though unless you do it both sides

mikey72

Cut the reducer off carefully with a hacksaw (or hacksaw blade)
Don't cut into the pipe. I usually cut most of the way through, then snap them open with a screwdriver. Don't bend or flatten the 10mm pipe either.

Or try ptfe tape.