Bleed screw in raditor-is it possible to replace?

agav

Does anyone know whether it is possible to change bleed screws in radiators? Some have been turned too tight and got stripped and the key skips instead of turning.

nearlyrich

I am sure you can change them but you might need to drop the water from the system, maybe consult a plumber or a heating engineer?

keystone

See answer in your other (original) thread. If you don't mind me saying so two threads running simultaneaously on the same subject are counterproductive for you.

Cheers

agav

Sorry for asking again but as the topic of the original thread was different I thought no one will look there any more as my original question was answered already. Don't get annoyed please.
You said the screws can be replaced, but how?
And the person with the wrong tool was the previous owner:)

keystone

I'm not annoyed at all. But having two threads running could end up with you getting two lots of answers and being unable to determine which is which. I was thinking of you actually.

You said the screws can be replaced, but how?

What do they look like? Different answers for different designs.

And the person with the wrong tool was the previous owner:)

No probs.

Cheers

agav

Sorry again for two threads and the confusion I caused.
It's hard to describe. It's like a round hole in the rad panel and in the middle is the square shaped screw. It's all quite small. You use like a small key to open it (when it works) which has a square hole in it. Can't describe any better. Sorry.
Thanks for all the interest and help.

keystone

OK so the threaded part that it screws into is part of the rad rather than into a separate part. From here no idea what the thread actually is and its important to get replacements that match the current. By far the best way to do this is just to remove one of the bleed screws and take it along to your local neighbourhood plumbers merchant. Do not take it to one of the DIY sheds as that will be a waste of your time.

To do this you will need to isolate a rad and drain enough water out to allow you to remove the bleed screw.

If you know the name of the manufacturer of your rads you might be able to get spares direct from them.

And don't apologise - not your fault.

Cheers

Cheers

docdan

Hi
the little square you put the key onto is only a small part of the bleed screw system .
the part around the square bit normally is nut shaped (6sided) and this unscrews from the radiator allowing all the bleed screw to be removed . you can buy new parts before hand from a good local diy store or plumbers merchants .
beofre you start to attempt to remove the bleed screw & surround turn off the rad valve and then turn off the other side of the rad to ! the knob off the rad valve normally fits on the other side when you have removed the plastic from it !this way you dont need to drain the system down !

agav

Thank for that. It's good advice.
The thing is that because the bleed screw is stripped we can't turn it or even take it out. That's why we need a new one. Don't really want to buy a new rad as this one is only about 4 years old. And it's expensive.
What could I use to remove it? The rad key? Cause that just skips... Looks like I'm stuck.

keystone

docdan wrote: »

the little square you put the key onto is only a small part of the bleed screw system the part around the square bit normally is nut shaped (6sided) and this unscrews from the radiator allowing all the bleed screw to be removed.

Perhaps not if the bleed screw is an integral part of the panel and is accessed from the back of the panel rather than the end. Thats why I asked OP to describe it. The reply leads me to think its like that rather than in the END of the panel. But I could be wrong.

Cheers

docdan

i have changed both versions of bleed screw both end fitting & middle fittings !
middle fittings tend to be allen headed internal threads !
if you have a good diy store ask if they have a good set of small mole grips . these csn be adjusted to many sizes and maybe you could undo the smaller inner part with them thus saving lots of work !