Leaking radiators

[Bettyboo]

Hi All
I wonder if you can help please?
My tenant has just contacted me to say that the radiators in kitchen and bathroom in my flat are leaking from "the joint at one end". Boiler had a gas safety check done about 6 weeks ago and boiler was repaired due to diverter valve problem. Tenant has said she thinks radiator may have started leaking when she had hot water on. Anyone any idea why this would happen, is it possible for radiators to leak WITHOUT fiddling with radiators?
I am getting a bit suspicious as it is the 3rd thing to go wrong in 6 weeks since she has became my tenant.
:wub:
Cheers
Betty

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

rads can just pinhole,corrosion is the biggest cause but if the previous boiler had a plate heat exchanger fail or the filling loop left open for a long time the water will become oxygenated eventually rads will fail

 

[AWheating]

you could have a leak on a radiator anytime. Cant see why a tennant would want to cause a leak, probably the tennant is eagle eyed and wants to report it to save any future damage.

 

[Bettyboo]

The flat is about 11 years old , not sure if filling loop was left open .....didnt hang arround in getting diverter valve repaired.
Would be surprised if rads corrode that quickly in a modern flat as I have lived in old property with ancient but modern rads and did not have a problem

 

[AWheating]

rads can corrod very fast, a year or two is not uncommon if the system conditions are bad.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

The flat is about 11 years old , not sure if filling loop was left open .....didnt hang arround in getting diverter valve repaired.
Would be surprised if rads corrode that quickly in a modern flat as I have lived in old property with ancient but modern rads and did not have a problem

yes but rads are thinner now,they can just fail at least the tenant is telling you i deal with loads who dont give a stuff until loads more damage has been done

 

[Bettyboo]

Ok so what does this mean, will ring plumber in morning, but please say its a small job!
System conditions AW heating? how bad can they be a new build??

 

[AWheating]

was the system flushed out/cleaned when fitted? was a good corrosion inhibitor added and maintained from installation?

i have seen rads on a new build fail from corrosion after around 2 years. New radiators and pipework have contaminates in them from new and installation.

 

[stevetheplumber]

have a look at the benchmark book see if the installers have added inhibitor you may find that the rads are not leaking it could be valves or it could even be some damp from the plumber venting the rads you can never tell with tennants