Radiator drain valve advice please - 10mm pipes 19 January at 4:10PM edited 19 January at 4:16PM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 5 replies 201 views

ChasingtheWelshdream

Hi folks,

All our downstairs radiators are drop feeds and none had drain off valves. I am gradually replacing and upgrading the pipework and draining the system down is a pain to say the least! 

This weekend I have swapped to radiator valves with a drain off where I can (Angled Radiator Valve Drain Off CP 10mm | Toolstation), but there are 2 rads that I can't do. The existing valves are simply too close to the wall and there is no space to put the larger valves on.  So I have been looking at alternatives and see if I can add something like this:

Drain !!!!!! 15mm | Stopcocks | Screwfix.com or Self-Cutting Drain !!!!!! Type A 15mm | Stopcocks | Screwfix.com

The problem is all the pipework is 10mm, all surface mounted.  As I replace each rad I am hiding the pipes and using 15mm for the bits that are on show but in the meantime I can't find anything that I can use on the existing 10mm. 

Could anyone help at all please? Is there a way to do this or a product that I am missing in my google searches? I don't mind what it looks like as these will eventually be replaced. I need to drain down again a couple of times over the next few weeks and want to make it easier if possible.


Also, before I twigged about the lack of drain offs I was a bit of a numpty. I added a lovely vintage column radiator with some pretty brass valves without thinking of draining it down again. I want to keep these in place, so can I just add this Drain !!!!!! 15mm | Stopcocks | Screwfix.com  to one of the 15mm sections? I'm not sure if that is the right product though.

All comments appreciated as always. Thanks. :-)

nofoollikeold

1. I don't think there is such a thing as a 10 mm drain off.  BES don't list one.
2. You could use a 10 10 15 reducing tee such as https://www.mepstock.co.uk/pipes-and-fittings/endfeed-fittings/10mm-x-10mm-x-15mm-end-feed-both-end-reducing-tee with a short length of 15 mm pipe and the type A drain valve you reference.
3. Avoid self cutting devices.  They can leave a slug of copper in the pipework to rattle forever.
4. You can add the final stopcock you reference into 15 mm pipework, but:
4.1 You will probably need a 15 mm equal tee and a short length of pipe.
4.2 If you are soldering any fitting with a rubber washer (like your references), don't forget to remove the rubber part before soldering and put it back afterwards.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you, that is really helpful. 

BUFF

is this style of drain off any shorter? 
https://www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk/EN/Brands/Terrier/Domestic_Radiator_Valves/Radiator Valves/product/367_CPDLS_Angle_Pattern_with_Drain_Off/item/601056

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BUFF said:

is this style of drain off any shorter? 
https://www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk/EN/Brands/Terrier/Domestic_Radiator_Valves/Radiator Valves/product/367_CPDLS_Angle_Pattern_with_Drain_Off/item/601056

Those are the ones I use the majority of the time, but they do sometimes leak after they’ve been used to drain down if they are a few years old. But I tend to replace the O ring as a norm.

ChasingtheWelshdream

Thank you, I will have a measure and see if one of those will fit. :-) If not, I can carry on the awkward way until I get round to those rooms.