Gas combi boiler removing radiator

johnny_s

I'm doing some decorating at home and needed to remove the radiator. I still need to be able to use the gas heating throughout the house while the radiator is off.

It's a standard radiator, no automatic thermostatic valve. I closed the TRV and lockshield valve, I then loosened the lockshieled valve nut and proceeded to drain the radiator. Once empty I removed and all was well.

My gas boiler was at 1.5 bar before this work, and 0 after - I expected this. I topped up the boiler pressure slightly to around 0.5 (by opening the valves), then I had a quick look at the radiator pipes and noticed that the lockshield valve side was leaking, a constant dribble of water. The water was coming out of the lockshield valve housing (the threaded part where the radiator connects). Image https://i.stack.imgur.com/0oukc.jpg

Was this because I repressurised the gas boiler?
Should I have capped off this lockshield valve housing somehow one the radiator was removed?

I panicked and put on the radiator again! So, not sure where to go from here really My gas pressure is now at 0 again, although I still had hot water this morning.

Any advice is appreciated.

neilmcl

You just need to make sure the lockshield was fully closed by tuning the spindle with an adjustable. You may sometimes get a small dribble of water but just stick a rag in the end of the valve for now.

There are plenty of videos on youtube showing the correct ways to remove a radiator.

johnny_s

Thanks for that Neil, i'll try the rag trick! Others have also recommended I use a blanking nut? Something like this?

The lockshield was as closed as I could get it with pliers. I didn't want to force it too much.

juraj.kecso

As long as you properly close both valves there should be no drop in system pressure when you remove the radiator.

Tom99

johnny_s wrote: »

Thanks for that Neil, i'll try the rag trick! Others have also recommended I use a blanking nut? Something like this?

The lockshield was as closed as I could get it with pliers. I didn't want to force it too much.

You really need a spanner, even an adjustable spanner will be better then pliers.

TELLIT01

If the leak is from where the valve attaches to the radiator you need to wrap some PTFE tape around the thread and try again.

johnny_s

Thanks Tom. I have spanners, but I found pliers were much better for closing the valve.

johnny_s

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If the leak is from where the valve attaches to the radiator you need to wrap some PTFE tape around the thread and try again.

The leak is coming from the valve, the threaded bit that the radiator connects to.

I think maybe I just need to cap off this end with a blanking nut?

Ectophile

johnny_s wrote: »

The leak is coming from the valve, the threaded bit that the radiator connects to.

I think maybe I just need to cap off this end with a blanking nut?

That would be a really good idea. Probably more reliable than stuffing a rag in it.


And it should stop the pressure dropping.

adonis

Use a blanking nut like you said in post 3 , I always have to use them when I take a radiator off.
Make sure you get the right size, usually 3/4inch.