If you don’t fix the problem of a leaking radiator, you could end up with your floorboards or carpets ruined. This problem should be mended quickly. Find out if the leaking is caused by something else rather the the valve, if not then soak up the water around the valve and place tissue paper at different parts so your able to see where the leaking is coming from. It’s important to carry out this procedure as water can drip somewhere else making it difficult to find the the original problem.

If you can find the leak coming from the spindle then tighten the gland nut by using a spanner, if that doesn’t work then detach the nut and cover the area down to the spindle in PTFE tape. If the leak is located at the coupling towards the pipe then slightly tighten the nut more as this may be the only mishap, if that fails then drain the radiator and remove the cap nut so that you can take the fitting off and change the olive. Before re-tightening the cap nut, cover PFTE tape around the olive or rub silicone sealant onto it. Corrosion is another reason why i leak may happen, if you leak is because of this then you must fit a new radiator. For a temporary repair, use plastic resin filler where it’s damaged.

If you need to repair the valve then you need to drain the system, making sure the new valve is the same type as the damaged one. Undo the cap nuts connecting the water pipe to the valve using an adjustable spanner but use a wrench to support the body of the valve. At the end of the radiator you should find more cap nuts connecting the adapter in the end to the valve, remove these cap nuts and take the valve out. Also from the radiator, remove the valve adapter and clean the threads in the end. Using PTFE tape, wrap it around the thread of the new adapter and screw into the end of the radiator with a spanner to tighten. Move the new olive and valve cap nut to the other end of the pipe and install the valve,  using a wrench hold the valve and line it up with the adapter. Now tighten the cap nuts holding the water pipe to the valve as well as the other ones holding the valve to the adapter. You have now repaired your leaking radiator, check for any leaks and if needed tighten the nuts more.

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To fit a radiator into your home you need to know the basics beforehand, first of all you need to turn off the heating and allow to cool down then you turn the plastic handle clockwise to turn the radiator off. On the opposite side of the radiator there’s a lock shield valve, to close this valve you need to remove the protective plastic cup covering it and use an adjustable spanner to turn the valve clockwise for it to close. Its important that you remember how many turns you made on the valve because it should be opened by the same amount of turns when the radiator is replaced. This keeps the system even spreading the heat out equally through the house. Next you must bleed the radiator and this is done by using a key to open the bleed valve, this is usually found in one of the top corners of the radiator and will allow the air to enter it for water to flow more quickly out the radiator.

Now remove the old radiator but still leave the 2 valves connected to the pipes and clasp the valve assembly with one wrench so its unable to be pulled loose from the pipe feeding it. Completely detach the nut and carefully do the same with the nut holding the radiator to the valve at the other end. Close the bleed valve and finish draining it by removing the radiator from its brackets and holding it over a bucket, they’re pretty heavy so make sure you have support when carrying out this procedure.

The next step before fitting is to wrap PTFE tape clockwise around the thread of the new radiator then placing it onto the wall brackets, you then position the valves either side so that the radiator sits perfectly on top of them and hand tighten the nut onto each valve making sure you don’t cross thread them. Tighten the valves by using the same technique as you used to remove the old radiator, by holding the valve assembly with 1 wrench so it cant be seperated from the pipe while using another wrench to do up the connecting nut. Keep in mind that if it leaks you can tighten the joint, but if you tighten it too much, you will need to take it apart and start from scratch.

After tightening both connections, re-open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator and then only open the flow valve situated at the bottom of the radiator. This valve will be used to switch your radiator on and off allowing water to flow in and air to be pushed out from the top, when water begins to seep from the bleed valve that’s when you should close it. To let water circulate the system you need to open the return valve found at the bottom of the radiator using the amount of turns used to close it. Finally check both connections for leaks, turn on the heating and check again for leaks. You now have a working radiator.

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