Corroded and damaged radiator bleeding valve

[Zak Kaz]

Evening all,

Hoping someone could advise as I woke to find water pooling at the bottom of my guest room radiator. Upon closer inspection I found the valve where the radiator is bled from looks cracked and corroded and had started to leak water. (See pictures)
Please could someone advise me on the following:

1) Is there a quick and easy way to repair this as I can’t really afford to replace the entire radiator. If so can I do it myself?

2) The radiator was only fitted 18 months ago along with all the others in the house. What could be the cause for the corroding and cracking and should I be worried about the same happening to the other radiators?

A huge thank you in advance

 

[Riley]

Looks more like the radiator is cracked than the bleed valve

 

[king of pipes]

Hard to say but the sealing o ring is damaged in the top photo , I would isolate the radiator by its valves drain a few litres of water out of the rad remove the old air tap and clean up the rusted area then treat with a rust primer and top coat of grey spray car paint , fit a new air tap adding a few wraps of ptfe and fill vent and give it a try . Kop

 

[Harvest Fields]

May get away with changing the bleed valve. But to be honest looks more like a rad issue

 

[Welder]

Unf simply a poor install the consequences of which you are now paying for. KOP & HF's advice are good.

 

[Andy B]

I think the cracks are just paint flaking off. The radiator is probably sound.

As mentioned above a poor install possibly caused by over/under tightening or a defective 'o' ring or uneven sealing face.

The cure is as mentioned above.

You also need to go round all your rads one by one and check for any signs of leaks at all 4 points. It's a 'stitch in time' with things like that- catch a small leak before it corrodes your rad.

 

[Harvest Fields]

The rad may be sound but to be honest as stated above that is corrosion and corrosion needs moisture. It is coming from somewhere. Rads do not rust like that by themselves.

 

[Stu-B]

Remove the old bleed valve and while you’ve got it out give the area a clean up with wire wool and a rag, you may find the old valve leaked or wasn’t seated correctly causing the radiator to rust. Fit a new valve and see if it cures it.
It’s worth trying this way first as valves are only a few quid compared to the exorbitant price of rads.
It’s what I would do anyway. Maybe a little hammerite touch up paint too if it stops the leak.

 

[WC1]

Been tightened up so hard the o ring has been chewed up and spat out and looks like these been a lot of action on that bleed screw for 18 months!! Are you on good terms with the installer?

 

[Pickwickpick]

Been tightened up so hard the o ring has been chewed up and spat out and looks like these been a lot of action on that bleed screw for 18 months!! Are you on good terms with the installer?

Yep this, and in process of over tightening the paint has been damaged hence the rust and further peeling of the paint.

 

[moonlight]

Or maybe wasn't tightened enough in the first place? Leaking, paint peeling. You could lock the radiator off. Open the vent make sure the radiator is locked off. Open the nut at the top. You will get some water put a cloth around it. Take the nut and buy an o'ring to fit. You will need to clean up the top of the radiator. Refit. Open radiator valves and refill and test. Alternately get your plumber back.