Slight Leak From Heated Towel Rail

pennypincher3562

Hi

I've got a heated towel rail in the bathroom - I've never used it in 7 years, and to be honest don't think it even works.

However, it's recently started leaking slightly from the nut that you find just above the temperature adjuster (similar to a radiator.)

I've seen Youtube videos where they easily fix a similar problem on radiators, it involves 'packing a valve.'

My towel rail isn't the exact same as a radiator, there is no way I can access any valve. From what all I can see, all I can do is tighten the nut.

Do any plumbing experts think tightening the nut will rectify the problem, or is the problem more complex?

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

pennypincher3562

Just inspected it further, it looks like the leak is coming from the top of the 'isolater valve' where it joins the actual towel rail itself.

My isolator valve looks similar to the one below, but does not have the adjustable screw on the side:

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Chrome-Plated-Isolating-Valve-15mm/p/420187

I'd really appreciate any suggestions on how to cheaply remedy this, as I've got no income at the moment, and seem to be plagued by one leak/DIY mishap after another!

Thanks
PennyPincher3562

pennypincher3562

The leak is coming from the top of the valve that you can see above.

bridgedino

Get hold of the valve body with a set of grips and take a spanner to the nut. Tighten it a wee bit, hopefully it will be enough to stop the leak

pennypincher3562

Hi Bridgedino

I will try that. Is the 'nut' at the top of the valve actually rotatable? At first glance to a novice like me, the valve looks like it's a single unit?

Thanks
Pennypincher3562

wallbash

Thats a very old/ rusty valve and although I would do as bridgedino suggests, I would also be ready if the attempt made matters 100 times worse.

Ask yourself if while using a grip/spanner the valve started gushing water, could you cope? Do you know where to turn the water off, any isolation valves, do they work.

Take care.

pennypincher3562

Hi Wallbash

That's something I will need to think about, though to be honest I think it's more a bad photo - it's only about 10 years old, and not really rusty from what I could see.

Cheers
PennyPincher3562