Radiator bleed valves

moneyistooshorttomention

The "bleed" is on the wrong side of some of my radiators (ie the left-hand side) and needs to be on the correct side.

Is there any reason why this might not be possible? They are standard modern compact style ones.

It's just that one person thought the radiators might have been fixed to be on a slight (but imperceptible) slant in the direction of the "bleed" valve and the water from them might not be able to run out in correct direction.

I think this person must be wrong, as its not water I am looking to bleed from the radiators anyway. I just need to be able to bleed out any air that has got trapped in the radiators if that is necessary.

HHarry

It doesn't matter which side the bleed valve is on - although if you're right handed it might be easier if it's on the right hand side.

For the small amount of times you should need to bleed a radiator it's not worth swapping - just open it up, let the air out, close, have a cup of tea!

moneyistooshorttomention

I don't have much strength in my hands, hence I need it to be on the obvious side and not the side its actually on. I have enough strength for using my right hand to do it, but start struggling if I have to use my left hand.

anotherbaldrick

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I don't have much strength in my hands, hence I need it to be on the obvious side and not the side its actually on. I have enough strength for using my right hand to do it, but start struggling if I have to use my left hand.

Find a piece of small diameter steel or brass tube say 3" long and slip this over the end of the cross "T" this will give you all the leverage you need as you only have to crack the vent valve and it will turn freely. ( actually something like a small say 5mm box spanner slips over nicely)

Jonesya

Moving bleed valves is a lot of hassle - you've got to close the valves to isolate the radiator (assuming they will close/haven't seized) drain off some water (if you can), swap-over the valve and the blanking plug, open the valves again, then bleed off the air.

It's a lot of hassle and if you're struggling to bleed the radiators I think you'll need someone's assistance to do it.

Personally if it were me, I'd leave them as they are and say once or twice a year, ask a relative or friend when they're visiting if they wouldn't mind bleeding the radiators for me. Failing that, I'd get a handyman to do it, as part of a bundle of other jobs.

moneyistooshorttomention

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Find a piece of small diameter steel or brass tube say 3" long and slip this over the end of the cross "T" this will give you all the leverage you need as you only have to crack the vent valve and it will turn freely. ( actually something like a small say 5mm box spanner slips over nicely)

Thank you.

Have just been on Amazon and ordered a 5mm box spanner (it says its a Melco 5 x 5.5mm x 100mm one).

Guess that should do the trick, even for someone like myself (ie whose DIY ability extends about as far as changing a light bulb...and no I'm not joking...).