fixing a leaking radiator pipe

Odster

I have a small leak coming from the central heating pipe that feeds the radiator.

Because it's the first joint straight off the copper feed pipe, the only way to undo and redo the joint would involve draining the whole heating system (which I really don't want to do).

I've tried using some LS-X jointing compound but it's not helped....Can anyone recommend another product and or method to stop this?

thanks in advance

martinsurrey

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/Wrenches/Adjustable+Wrench+Set+3+Piece/d10/sd90/p62431

a 22mm olive, slowly tighten the leaking one while holding the valve on the radiator with a second wrench.

HappyMJ

Odster wrote: »

I have a small leak coming from the central heating pipe that feeds the radiator.

Because it's the first joint straight off the copper feed pipe, the only way to undo and redo the joint would involve draining the whole heating system (which I really don't want to do).

I've tried using some LS-X jointing compound but it's not helped....Can anyone recommend another product and or method to stop this?

thanks in advance

Why don't you want to drain it down? It's pretty easy...turn water off...connect hose to drain point open valve. All water drains out...you fix connection close valve and take hose off and turn water back on....then bleed the radiators.

cyclonebri1

Tighten the fitting up inline with what the above poster said. Reasonable force is the phrase.

But get your wellies on first,:p:D

sk240

Unfortunatly the only way to fix it is to drain down the system, i have seen before where the compression joint was tightened it made the leak worse because turning it whilst pressurised forces the joint apart!
Jointing comound is meant for inide the joint, you cant just spread it over a leak.

martinsurrey

sk240 wrote: »

Unfortunatly the only way to fix it is to drain down the system, i have seen before where the compression joint was tightened it made the leak worse because turning it whilst pressurised forces the joint apart!
Jointing comound is meant for inide the joint, you cant just spread it over a leak.

I've fixed quite a few where I didnt need to drain it down, but you are right, I would be prepared to, and know how to, drain it down before starting, just in case it makes it worse.

Edwardia

Sometimes it's possible to freeze a section of pipe, chop it out, renew and then unfreeze but er this can go rather wrong and wellies and replastering may be needed.

cyclonebri1

Wrong, freezing a pipe is for when the system can't be drained and is a method best left to a pro, get it wrong and you are in deep do dah.

It's also wrong to say just drain the system and off you go.

You will need to bleed the system after adding anti corrosion additive.

keystone

Mmm 7 replies and nobody has yet asked whether its a compression joint or a soldered joint that is leaking or if its a valve which side of the valve is leaking.

More data please OP.

Cheers

Mr_Ted

keystone wrote: »

Mmm 7 replies and nobody has yet asked whether its a compression joint or a soldered joint that is leaking or if its a valve which side of the valve is leaking.
More data please OP.
Cheers

:rotfl:Correct, AND no response from the OP ?

From the OP's mention of "1st joint of copper tails" it could be assumed its the rad valve compression joint, but boy has there been some weird and wonderful ideas as to how to deal with it if it is:eek:

The only way to fix it is the right way, but there could be several right ways, and it is possible that a right way could end up a wrong way, basically because of occurrences that cant be seen, such as an attempt to tighten a compression joint could actually cause more problems if it is overtightened already as it is possible that the pipe could be crimped by the olive to a point it cuts through the pipe itself

The only positive right way is to drain down, strip the joint and remake it with whatever is necessary, and for those that are pedantic it goes without saying that entail having to refill the system correctly
It doesn't however mean that inhibitor HAS to be used, inhibitors are optional but advisory, especially if a warranty is involved

A freezer kit could be used, there NOT just for when a system cant be drained down because basically EVERY system CAN be drained down with the right knowledge how to, but it requires a professional to do that as there are dangers if not used correctly, and no I'm NOT going to say what they are as then some DiYer could end up in problems coz he thinks he has the knowledge from here to attempt it

Leak sealants are never a good option, because they can cause problems elsewhere if used in the system, and if used externally thats just the problem, its external and the problem is usually within a joint, so a strip down of the joint is the only positive way

Anyone who makes a comment about putting your wellies on 1st is giving misleading information as the whole point of doing a job CORRECTLY would have no possibility of that happening, so that is extremely poor advice if that sort of caveat is used :mad:

cyclonebri1

Mr_Ted wrote: »

:rotfl:Correct, AND no response from the OP ?

From the OP's mention of "1st joint of copper tails" it could be assumed its the rad valve compression joint, but boy has there been some weird and wonderful ideas as to how to deal with it if it is:eek:

The only way to fix it is the right way, but there could be several right ways, and it is possible that a right way could end up a wrong way, basically because of occurrences that cant be seen, such as an attempt to tighten a compression joint could actually cause more problems if it is overtightened already as it is possible that the pipe could be crimped by the olive to a point it cuts through the pipe itself

The only positive right way is to drain down, strip the joint and remake it with whatever is necessary, and for those that are pedantic it goes without saying that entail having to refill the system correctly
It doesn't however mean that inhibitor HAS to be used, inhibitors are optional but advisory, especially if a warranty is involved

A freezer kit could be used, there NOT just for when a system cant be drained down because basically EVERY system CAN be drained down with the right knowledge how to, but it requires a professional to do that as there are dangers if not used correctly, and no I'm NOT going to say what they are as then some DiYer could end up in problems coz he thinks he has the knowledge from here to attempt it

Leak sealants are never a good option, because they can cause problems elsewhere if used in the system, and if used externally thats just the problem, its external and the problem is usually within a joint, so a strip down of the joint is the only positive way

Anyone who makes a comment about putting your wellies on 1st is giving misleading information as the whole point of doing a job CORRECTLY would have no possibility of that happening, so that is extremely poor advice if that sort of caveat is used :mad:

Does that mean you agree with what I said?