Leaking central heating pipe

jrenshaw · 04-10-2008, 18:50

Hi,

Just had the central heating on for the first time for a prolonged time and I have discovered that a pipe going to the radiator in the kitchen is leaking slowly just before the valve. I was going to just try and tighten it, however I have heard that can cause more damage. If it needs more than that I expect I'll need to drain the system etc. I've never done that before so it anyone who knows a good plumber who won't rip me off for that job I'd love to hear from you

Any advice?

Thanks,

James

derekgas · 04-10-2008, 18:55

If you take the cap off the valve, you may find that it is the stuffing box, there will be a nut at the bottom of the valve spindle, nip it up a tad, if not, nip the bottom valve nut a tad. Good, FREE advice from a genuine plumber, please dont tar us all with the same brush.

glasgow guy · 04-10-2008, 18:56

pm derek gas..
that will be amongst his talents given the job he is qualified to do and does..

glasgow guy · 04-10-2008, 18:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas

If you take the cap off the valve, you may find that it is the stuffing box, there will be a nut at the bottom of the valve spindle, nip it up a tad, if not, nip the bottom valve nut a tad. Good, FREE advice from a genuine plumber, please dont tar us all with the same brush.

cant believe I posted my comment about contacting you as you were replying to her...

jrenshaw · 04-10-2008, 19:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas

If you take the cap off the valve, you may find that it is the stuffing box, there will be a nut at the bottom of the valve spindle, nip it up a tad, if not, nip the bottom valve nut a tad. Good, FREE advice from a genuine plumber, please dont tar us all with the same brush.

Thanks a lot for that advice I'll take a look at that. Sorry, I didn't mean all plumbers are rip off merchants at all, but it's hard to tell who is good or bad when going through the yellow pages.

jrenshaw · 04-10-2008, 19:22

I've had a look at the valve and I can't see how to get the cap off, it's the one with the control on top. The nut at the bottom won't budge either.

jrenshaw · 04-10-2008, 19:40

sorry I'm an idiot the cap came off easily, I've given it a tweak will see what happens when the heating is next on.

Retlaw · 04-10-2008, 20:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrenshaw

I've had a look at the valve and I can't see how to get the cap off, it's the one with the control on top. The nut at the bottom won't budge either.

Attached is a drawing I sent my daughter in London who was having a similar problem, overtightening gland nuts when they are hot, can make them near impossible to undo when cold.
Retlaw.

derekgas · 04-10-2008, 21:09

Have sent a pm!

Neil · 05-10-2008, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Attached is a drawing I sent my daughter in London who was having a similar problem, overtightening gland nuts when they are hot, can make them near impossible to undo when cold.
Retlaw.

New valves are only £2 at screwfix, better quality ones are £6.50.

I agree though that ptfe tape is a good quick fix.

jrenshaw · 05-10-2008, 09:01

Thanks all for the advice, my spanners are the wrong size, so I'll have a go at this later on after going to homebase or somewhere for PTFE tape and the right size spanner! :-)

derekgas · 05-10-2008, 09:27

If you need to buy stuff, I can lend you the right spanners and give you ptfe, my mobile is on the website, will be around most of the day.

jrenshaw · 05-10-2008, 10:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by derekgas

If you need to buy stuff, I can lend you the right spanners and give you ptfe, my mobile is on the website, will be around most of the day.

Thats really a very kind offer and much appreciated - top man. I feel a bit cheeky about that, I'm going to see what I can borrow from my dad first.

jrenshaw · 05-10-2008, 15:07

Well I've had a go now with the PTFE tape and the heating has been on for 20 minutes and there isn't a drop out of it. So I'm hoping it's fixed, so thankyou very much Retlaw and derek.

derekgas · 05-10-2008, 15:25

Well done, wont leak while the heating is on, have another look when it cools down, if there is still no leak, seems you have cracked it.