drain valve and pipe shrouds

[Sinead]

Can pipe shrouds be fitted around a drain valve? We just had some new radiators installed and unfortunately the shrouds I got weren't long enough for the install in the hallway so I ordered some more. The plumber has fitted it and installed a drain valve halfway on the copper piping and now says we can't add any shroud...this is a fully exposed so will be really out of place compared to all the other fittings...is there any way around this?

 

[steadyon]

1. No, they can't be fitted around a drain valve.
2. One way I can think of to get round this is:
2a. Remove the radiator valve and replace by one with a built in drain off. Or do without a drain off at that point. You might be able to fit one elsewhere.
2b. Remove the pipe and refit with a straight length. You can't just join to the old pipe because any connector will be wider than the pipe.
2c. Fit the shroud.
3. Another less elegant possibility:
3a. Remove drain valve / replace elsewhere as 2a. above.
3b. Use a short piece of pipe from radiator valve to existing pipe, with a soldered connector fitted in between.
3d. Bend up two rings from a bit of pipe (same wall thickness) and bend round pipe just below radiator and just above floor. Depending on the type of shroud (must be split type) you should be able to slip it on, and the two bands and connector should keep it straight.
4. Expect to pay the plumber for the extra work.