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PlumbBobBob
you need this from toolstation
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hea...762/Angled+Radiator+Valve+Drain+Off+CP/p40214
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hea...762/Angled+Radiator+Valve+Drain+Off+CP/p40214
- May 23, 2015
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AWJD
I have now been to both the main plumbing merchants in Abingdon (Grahams and Plumb Centre) and nobody in either had ever seen a Lockshield valve with drain with a 1" thread to the radiator. The guy in the Plumb Centre said he'd worked there for 25 years and never seen one even though my radiator is only 15 years old.
How come I can then walk into Screwfix of all places and buy one over the counter as recommended by you guys on the forum? It seems to be a standard size for Screwfix but to nobody else in the industry?
How come I can then walk into Screwfix of all places and buy one over the counter as recommended by you guys on the forum? It seems to be a standard size for Screwfix but to nobody else in the industry?
- May 23, 2015
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A
AWJD
It doesn't matter what the technical description for the valve is, I took the original one into the plumbing merchants and they said they had never seen one before with that sized thread on the radiator outlet!!
You have a screwfix and a b&q in Abingdon suggest you try either of them, b&q will have them out on display.
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AWJD
I didn't say it was a '1" lockshield with drain off '. In fact it is a 10mm radiator valve with drain off which can be configured either as a lockshield or a manual valve as described on the packaging but it has a 1" thread on the radiator connection.
- May 23, 2015
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AWJD, it is made up of 2 parts, the 1st part screws into the radiator on a tapered thread then your valve connects from this part via the large nut to your 10mm pipe.
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AWJD
My radiator came with the tail/unions already in place and that is what I was trying to connect a new valve to. What I was trying to understand is what are considered standard union thread sizes for these types of valve and why Screwfix do a 1" threaded connection to the union but proper plumbing merchants don't?
Fortunately, I've now got a replacement valve from Screwfix and so the problem is solved!
Fortunately, I've now got a replacement valve from Screwfix and so the problem is solved!
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PlumbBobBob
What was the screwfix part number in case one of us guys come up against the same problem.
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AWJD
I bought part 36552 from Screwfix. As said, I took the original valve into the 2 x plumbing merchants and neither had a size that matched. I'm going back to Screwfix tomorrow to get another valve for the other end of the radiator without the drain.
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AWJD
I was referring to the diameter of the tread which was 1". And yes, this is also referred to as a 3/4" BSP thread- and the plumbing merchants still didn't stock it!
Glad you got it sorted in the end however left wondering exactly what words you used ie did you say 1" for the radiator in which case I can understand the response you got.
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AWJD
I needed to sort out the issues with my radiator valves because this summer I will need to get all the valves changed (TRVs included this time) and didn't want any nasty surprises in terms unavailable parts. My final understanding is the following:
1. All my old radiators and modern radiators use tails which all have a 1/2 BSP male tapered threads going into the radiator.
2. Therefore, since replacement valves come with a tail, it should be possible, worst case, simply to replace the old tails (and valves) with the new tails (and valves).
3. The old standard for valves was to use a 3/4 BSP union connection ('O' ring or fibre washer seal) to the radiator tail.
4. The new standard for valves is to use a 15mm compression connector to the radiator tail.
5. Many plumber merchants don't appear to stock radiator valves with union connections any more - fortunately, other outlets, such as Screwfix do stock them still.
This has been a bit of a steep learning curve for me, not helped by not knowing what correct terminology to use at times! However, I got there in the end!
1. All my old radiators and modern radiators use tails which all have a 1/2 BSP male tapered threads going into the radiator.
2. Therefore, since replacement valves come with a tail, it should be possible, worst case, simply to replace the old tails (and valves) with the new tails (and valves).
3. The old standard for valves was to use a 3/4 BSP union connection ('O' ring or fibre washer seal) to the radiator tail.
4. The new standard for valves is to use a 15mm compression connector to the radiator tail.
5. Many plumber merchants don't appear to stock radiator valves with union connections any more - fortunately, other outlets, such as Screwfix do stock them still.
This has been a bit of a steep learning curve for me, not helped by not knowing what correct terminology to use at times! However, I got there in the end!
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