Changing lockshield in bedroom

[gavla]

Hello everyone,
I have currently just passed my city & Guilds level 2, and already the family think i am a qualified plumber (not).
My Sisters Lockshield is in her bedroom and is leaking from the gland slightly.
I realise i will have to drain down the system, but i have been told dont fully drain down, just do the top level.
How will i know when the water has fully drained down from the rads upstairs, can you hear it or is it just a time thing?

Any answers would be great.
gavin

 

[fergie656]

Shut the two valves going to the rad, drain down just that radiator, take rad off, and open the lockshield until water stops flowing out, fit new lockshield, reconnect rad and fill system back up, go and bleed all upstairs rads, job done.

 

[WaterTight]

Love it. Good advice.

 

[Puddle]

Maybe I would isolate header tank and turn off power to heating system,open up heating motorised valve to manual,place hose pipe on drain off and open,when water stops through hose,open vent on radiator with valve requiring replacing,when water again stops through hose,close other valve on radiator and remove valve to be replaced and fit new,then open other valve,close drain cock remove hose and put straight in van otherwise I forget it,open supply to header and refill system as required,vent,place motorised valve to normal position,turn boiler thermostat down and run boiler for 5/10 mins,if near the next hr maybe 20mins while writing out invoice,turn up boiler thermostat ,get cheque made out or drive customer to cash point,make date with customers daughter for weekend,feel rads on way out and thats it really
jobs a good un

imho

 

[oldplumber]

why not just freeze the pipe with the lockshield on it, having isolated the other end and drained the rad, saves lots of time and grief, and you learn to work under pressure, lol

 

[Toddyplumb]

Why not do it properly and repack the gland 😕
That is one of the few useful things you have (or should have) done for level 2

 

[jimmy16v]

as above just repack the gland,don't even need to drain down just close the lockshield and your away.this is basic level 2 stuff

cheers jimmy

 

[Puddle]

Unless you are lucky and have a good quality valve,(very rear now and in which case it probably would not be leaking anyway),the days of repacking rad valves have long gone,even if you can,will start leaking again and then the customer will want discount for you to drain down and replace anyway,if it is leaking because used as room gets to hot,stick a thermostatic valve on there,in fact ,when you are doing the job,suggest putting on all

If they are teaching you to re pack rad valve on level 2,would not put in the useful column,unless doing as a temporary measure
imho

 

[jimmy16v]

tbh i have repacked many glands(stop taps,lsv)never had a problem leaking again if you do it right.how often is it when turning off stop tap and then it starts leaking,customer only starts blaming you and wont pay to replace stop tap,so just repac the gland,which costs nothing and your away

 

[Blackcatgas]

Have you tried just nipping up the gland, I often just snatch rad valves live, it makes things more exciting.

 

[Puddle]

Am not saying you can not stop rad valves leaking ,just if used will leak again

stop valves are different

I like the towel,valve off,thumb over,new valve on bit,makes me feel alive and in and out quick on a price

Am working on a bag you can put over valve, pressurise greater than the pressure of the water in the system so when you remove valve or fitting no water will come out and just swop over with replacement also placed in bag

look out for me on dragons den !!

 

[andekoch]

now that would be a good bit of kit to have (the pressurised bag) when you get it to work let me know.

 

[Toddyplumb]

Repack loads of lockshields no problem. Very usefull in hotels etc 🙂

 

[gavla]

Cheers mate,
Ill take your advise, ill let you know how it goes!
gavla