Leaking radiator

GlasgowExpat2

I recently had new radiators installed and one of them is leaking, picture below. The plumber has been back 3 times to tighten the nut but it’s still leaking. Any suggestions?

jefaz07

I think he needs to replace the reducing set in that valve. Looks like 10mm pipe into a 15mm valve. If the reducing sets aren’t on exactly straight it will weep and no amount of tightening will stop it. 

Easier to fit a 10mm valve really. 

neilmcl

Tightening the nut won't do it, in fact he's probably overtightened it now and crushed the olive within. He needs to remove it and if not replace the olive then seal it better with some PTFE around the olive. You could try some pipe sealant, such as Loctite 577 above the olive as it enters the fitting but it's generally used on threads.

Did he re-use the exiting TRV or is that a new one, the nut itself looks older, so if he's simply attached a new TRV body to an existing nut and olive then no wonder it's leaking.

GlasgowExpat2

neilmcl said:

Did he re-use the exiting TRV or is that a new one, the nut itself looks older, so if he's simply attached a new TRV body to an existing nut and olive then no wonder it's leaking.

I think he replaced the nut.  The stuff on the nut is from where it’s been leaking. 

Bendy_House

Are you hoping to sort this yourself, GE2? If so, you'll need to drain down your system so you can dismantle that joint, then carry out a fix depending on what you find, as Jefaz and Neil suggest.

I hadn't noticed the use of 10mm pipe! Depending on what you find when it's opened, the solution could be as simple as adding sealant (Fernox Hawk, PTFE, whatevs) or cutting that 10mm pipe, soldering a 10/15 reducer and then continuing in 15mm to the valve.

I wouldn't use that plumber again...

GlasgowExpat2

Bendy_House said:

Are you hoping to sort this yourself, GE2? If so, you'll need to drain down your system so you can dismantle that joint, then carry out a fix depending on what you find, as Jefaz and Neil suggest.

I hadn't noticed the use of 10mm pipe! Depending on what you find when it's opened, the solution could be as simple as adding sealant (Fernox Hawk, PTFE, whatevs) or cutting that 10mm pipe, soldering a 10/15 reducer and then continuing in 15mm to the valve.

I wouldn't use that plumber again...

No I’m not , way beyond my DIY skills !  I just needed advice so I could tell him what I need doing

I won’t, there have been numerous issues

Bendy_House

GlasgowExpat2 said:

No I’m not , way beyond my DIY skills !  I just needed advice so I could tell him what I need doing

I won’t, there have been numerous issues

That's easy then. You tell him "Could you fix my leak, please? Properly this time..."

I presume he hasn't charged you for the previous failed attempts?

jefaz07

neilmcl said:

Tightening the nut won't do it, in fact he's probably overtightened it now and crushed the olive within. He needs to remove it and if not replace the olive then seal it better with some PTFE around the olive. You could try some pipe sealant, such as Loctite 577 above the olive as it enters the fitting but it's generally used on threads.

Did he re-use the exiting TRV or is that a new one, the nut itself looks older, so if he's simply attached a new TRV body to an existing nut and olive then no wonder it's leaking.

I don’t think it will have an olive in this instance, It’s 10 to 15mm. 

It will have a reducing set (which I suppose is a type of olive) which are notorious. That’s why I now use 10mm valves. Then you get your classic olive. 

With a set they have to sit exactly straight onto the pipe and stay there whilst tightening until it snaps. 

He needs to buy these and re do them in my opinion. 

https://www.screwfix.com/p/flomasta-compression-reducing-internal-coupler-15-x-10mm/70435?tc=CB6&ds_kid=92700055281954514&ds_rl=1249404&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwY-LBhD6ARIsACvT72NSqxSBoxKiSNKH5XZUrOckScfC6YtZL0f8mDnHohQgKGgGxBYQ-GkaAjOAEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Or get a 10mm Bulldog TRV (that’s what I use)

GlasgowExpat2

No he hasn’t charged me. I’m still waiting for the Building Regulations Certificate 

greyteam1959

Tell him to fix the leak !!
It's his problem how to do it not yours 
End of story.
It's not rocket science.

47Revisited

Plumber I doubt. No plumber comes round 3 times to tighten anything. Don't own a wire brush. Hasn't replaced the nut, reused old olive probably or crushed it to death. Tell him to sort it out or find a proper plumber.