Radiator leaking and carpets comming tommorrow ?

[acknowledged74]

Hi

We have just renovated a house and got the point of putting back on all the radiators.

There is one at aleast in every room so 10 in total. All seems well a couple of small leaks but tightened and now fine fingers crossed. The largest one in the lounge however start dripping at one end (the smaller nut end with a longer thread). We eventually stopped the leak after undoing it and the wall getting covered.

I notice when I put this particular one on that it was very tight compared to the rest, most turned by hand for a while then i just tightened them the last little bit with a tool. the leaking one needed the tool immediately, and because its so tight pushed the Ptfe tape off the thread (the reason for the leak I presume ?)

Anyway what is the answer here, any help would be great thanks, as I say we have the carpet going in tommorrow, far from ideal but we can't change that now.

Thanks

 

[darrenangel]

It sounds like its possibly cross threaded. If it is, the best and only long lasting solution would to change it. You could try putting some silicon around the thread before re-tightening, this won't get removed like the ptfe tape, but your best option is to replace. Darren

 

[acknowledged74]

When you say replace it do you mean the radiator or the valve ? So you think the male thread is causing the problem ? Thanks

 

[darrenangel]

Just the valve. Try and get a like for like replacement, then you won't have to change any of the pipework. good luck.

 

[dubby]

"When you say replace it do you mean the radiator or the valve ? So you think the male thread is causing the problem ? Thanks"

Hey acknowledged74, You've probly crossed threaded the male thread from the radiator, these "threads" are only inserts and can be removed and replaced fairly easily.
but be carefull if you dont drain it down propley it could get very wet.
unless your competent prob best left to a tradesman, I'm in kent if thats anygood.

 

[gasmarc]

i would get your leaks sorted pronto otherwise your new carpets will be stained

 

[SafeGasInstall]

ptfe is not to go on the thread on the valve !!!!
,is to go over the olive where the valve sit on the pipe.the pipe might be damaged due to over tight ,
change the valve and when u put new nut and olive put ptfe over the olive before sitting the valve in place!