Control radiator sprung leak - pls help.

[BatDance]

My elderly father has been complaining that the room in which he spends most of his day (kitchen/lounge) is never warm enough- despite the radiator being on full blast. I balanced all the radiators last year & all seemed fine at the time.

I foolishly thought turning down the heat to the radiator in the hallway would help the other radiator get warmer. The hallway one is always too hot. I was going to do this by closing the lockshield valve a bit however it has sprung a leak - as in squirting everywhere leak not just dripping! I've closed it all back up & the radiator is cold now & not leaking. To make matters worse this is the so called control radiator, which people tell me is a big deal :confused5:

I realise I need a plumber but how urgent does this need fixing - do I need to call someone today? I'm a bit concerned with it being the control radiator. The heating thermostat is as high as it will go & I've turned up the heating on the combi boiler but the downstairs rooms are not getting hot enough, including the living room which was always quite warm until this. :mad2:

 

[joni os]

Remove head of thermostatic valve from another radiator, this will then act as bypass so system is protected. If leak is from spindle of valve it is possible all that's necessary is to repack gland. Post on here for plumber in your area, but provided leak has stopped no need for weekend work.

 

[kris]

The on in question maybe past saving but it sounds like its leaking from the gland which in many cases can be simply fixed by tightening the nut that screws into the valve body , so remove the cover of the lockshield and put your finger on the very top of the valve and run your finger down until you come across a hexagonal nut ( round the valve stem) give this a tighten clockwise ( righty tighty lefty loosy ) then open to see if it helps , good luck,,,,,

 

[BatDance]

The hexagonal nut wouldn't tighten any further. As soon as I move the nut which allows me to turn the lockshield valve something springs up, it starts shooting water & I have to push it all down to get the lock back on - once that's tightened it stops however I'm really worried it's all just building up!!!

 

[joni os]

Don't worry, you have the situation under control. The TRV to remove should be the one in the room used by your father. As the leak at the lockshield valve is significant I would not recommend attempting to repack, as the valve may have O ring or similar, rather than traditional packing material. Stay calm for your father, keep him warm but do try to find a reliable local plumber.

 

[BatDance]

Thanks Joni. So it needs a plumber today?

 

[joni os]

Thanks Joni. So it needs a plumber today?

No, any time in the next seven days will be OK as long as you have heat and the leak is under control. By taking the head off the TRV of another rad. there will always be circulation in the system whenever heating is on and system will be OK.

 

[BatDance]

That's great thank you so much for your help!