need stronger radiator valves than Drayton TRV4's, advice please

happyhero

Hi, I have Drayton TRV4 valves on my radiators and I am finding the heads get broken too often, especially as we have young grand children round all the time. 

I notice that often the white plastic heads go a bit brown near the tightening ring part which seems to indicate that the plastic has become a bit brittle and if anyone is rough with adjusting it or the kids play around there it will snap off. Its easy enough to replace but it seems I am doing it too often.

They usually last well over a year (I think they should last many years really) but after that decay of plastic or kids get to them or both. I usually buy them in bulk new but off private sellers to try and get them cheaper or they can work out over £25 each elsewhere. 

So are there any heads that would fit the same fitting but are much stronger and maybe made completely out of metal so that there is no weak decaying plastic to snap. 

Any help appreciated.

Ganga

happyhero said:

Hi, I have Drayton TRV4 valves on my radiators and I am finding the heads get broken too often, especially as we have young grand children round all the time. 

I notice that often the white plastic heads go a bit brown near the tightening ring part which seems to indicate that the plastic has become a bit brittle and if anyone is rough with adjusting it or the kids play around there it will snap off. Its easy enough to replace but it seems I am doing it too often.

They usually last well over a year (I think they should last many years really) but after that decay of plastic or kids get to them or both. I usually buy them in bulk new but off private sellers to try and get them cheaper or they can work out over £25 each elsewhere. 

So are there any heads that would fit the same fitting but are much stronger and maybe made completely out of metal so that there is no weak decaying plastic to snap. 

Any help appreciated.

Do Drayton not make the same rad valve in all metal ( Chrome ).

tacpot12

I buy the Honeywell VT15's. I find them to be reliable and easy to use. I've never had to replace one. I've used them in a rental property as well as at home and the tenants haven't broken any.  

Apodemus

I'm struggling to believe that the plastic is going yellow and brittle within a year, unless they are in an unusually toxic environment.  Some of mine are slightly yellow now, but not brittle yet and I've had them for 24 years!   

BUFF

the browning suggests to me that perhaps the flow temp is realy, really high?

GrubbyGirl_2

My plumber advised Honeywell saying they were the best quality.  Haven't had any probelms

casper_gutman

How strange! I've never had to replace a TRV or encountered a broken one in rented or owned homes in forty years, and here you are having to replace them almost annually!! 🤯

mi-key

I have had to replace a couple of TRVs recently, but that's because my new puppy decided they were really tasty to chew and shattered all the vertical splines on them ! Am considering replacing them for cast iron ones 

plumb1_2

mi-key said:

I have had to replace a couple of TRVs recently, but that's because my new puppy decided they were really tasty to chew and shattered all the vertical splines on them ! Am considering replacing them for cast iron ones 

They don’t make them out of cast iron.