Radiator leak heellpp!!

[simisworkshop@a]

Hi there,
I reeeaaaaallllyy hope someone can help me - We have a 3 year old Bosch combi boiler which is regularly serviced & has never let us down - Over the past few days we noticed that the pressure kept dropping down to approx. 1 so we kept increasing it back to 1.5 which was maintained for a few days, but once again dropped - My husband aincreased the pressure this evening & accidentally went slightly over the recommended water which was fine until we started to hear a weird hissing noise from the living room radiator which to our horror was a leak coming from the bottom of the radiator (which has now leaked dry)- The radiator appears to have a fine rupture on the lower inside.
We have obviously turned off the boiler but the house is freezing & we obviously have no hot water - Is is possible to turn the boiler/heating back but overriding the radiator in the living room or is this an impossibility?? Can we temporarily patch the leak at least to get us through the night????
Can anyone advise immediately on this problem as we have just purchased our house & are new to all this, let alone the fact that the house is becoming colder by the minute!!
I would really appreciate some immediate assistance pllleeassseeee!!
i'll be waiting by my PC!!
Many Thanks
Spence

 

[dontknowitall]

If it's the radiator leaking (and not the pipe joints) then providing you turn both valves off you can turn the boiler on as turning the valves off will stop water entering and exiting the radiator.

Hope this helps.

 

[sonray ltd]

close both rad valves on the rad and refill the system and bleed the rads.
all will be ok that rad just won't fill or work till you change it.

 

[simisworkshop@a]

If it's the radiator leaking (and not the pipe joints) then providing you turn both valves off you can turn the boiler on as turning the valves off will stop water entering and exiting the radiator.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
Many Thanks
Simi

close both rad valves on the rad and refill the system and bleed the rads.
all will be ok that rad just won't fill or work till you change it.

Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
With regards to bleeding the other radiators, can you explain how to do it & as far as closing both valves on the radiator, the left hand valve with the white cap has bar + & - written on it but wont turn either way - Does it require a special tool or method???
Sorry for all the questions but you've made me feel a lot better already & your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Simi

Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
Many Thanks
Simi



Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
With regards to bleeding the other radiators, can you explain how to do it & as far as closing both valves on the radiator, the left hand valve with the white cap has bar + & - written on it but wont turn either way - Does it require a special tool or method???
Sorry for all the questions but you've made me feel a lot better already & your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Simi

Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
With regards to bleeding the other radiators, can you explain how to do it & as far as closing both valves on the radiator, the left hand valve with the white cap has bar + & - written on it but wont turn either way - Does it require a special tool or method???
Sorry for all the questions but you've made me feel a lot better already & your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Simi

close both rad valves on the rad and refill the system and bleed the rads.
all will be ok that rad just won't fill or work till you change it.

Thanks for your help -Do you think we will have to get a new radiator & if so, is it quite a straightfoward fitting process??
With regards to bleeding the other radiators, can you explain how to do it & as far as closing both valves on the radiator, the left hand valve with the white cap has bar + & - written on it but wont turn either way - Does it require a special tool or method???
Sorry for all the questions but you've made me feel a lot better already & your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Simi

 

[dontknowitall]

If it's the actual radiator that's leaking it's probably best to buy a new one. Not straight forward (and quite time consuming) but it's not impossible as a DIY job. The tasks involved are draining the system, taking the old one off without spilling black water everywhere (and staining carpets in the process), ensuring the old valves fit the new radiator and if not, then replacing them. This can mean cutting, bending and realigning the pipes to fit well.

Draining the system can work like a dream but usually there's a whole load of water sitting and waiting until the worst possible moment. That is, when you're heaving the old heavy radiator out of the wall and can't let go of anything!

Bleeding radiators - first it won't bleed if you close the valves as there's no pressure trying to force the air out! Also if you bleed with closed valves and water comes out, then you're letting in air.

Your left hand valve ... try pulling the cap off and then turning the (metal part of the) valve. No special method except possible some force but be careful as they can break if forced too much. Then you have to drain the system and replace the valve.

General procedure for bleeding is to fill the system (and leave cold) then bleed the lowest radiator first and work your way upstairs to the highest radiator. If you bleed with the boiler on, you're risking getting more air in the system. If you have a hot water cylinder upstairs there might also be a bleed valve on (or near it) for the heating circuit.