[Help] HELP: Draining a radiator. What am I doing wrong?

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

A friend has asked me to reaffix a radiator which has come away from her wall. To do this I need to remove the radiator in order to resecure the brackets.

I'm trying to empty the radiator but it doesn't seem to be emptying.

First I turned off the two valves (clockwise) on either end of the radiator.

Then I loosened the connecting nut to drain the water.

Then I opened the bleed valve at the top of the radiator.

However once I open the bleed valve a thin stream of water spurts out from a little hole in the bleed valve and doesn't diminish or stop which suggests water is still getting in to the radiator.

Can anyone with any plumbing knowledge advise. If I have turned both valves off fully why is water still entering the radiator? What have I done wrong?

Thanks in anticipation of some sensible responses together with the inevitable facetious ones.
(Ignore last sideways photo. Not sure why it's even there and can't delete)

golddene · Nov 24, 2019

probably one or both valves are failing? easiest way would be to drain the entire system, do your repairs then replace the valves (£10) prior to re fixing and refilling the system and bleeding the whole system, failing that toolstation/screwfix sell a freeze kit which you can freeze the pipes both sides of the offending radiator and hurriedly carry out your repairs. id drain the system personally. good luck.

Bry Nylon · Nov 24, 2019

Not sure they'll be too happy about all the red marker pen on their walls.

AmexRuislip · Nov 24, 2019

Bry Nylon said:
Not sure they'll be too happy about all the red marker pen on their walls.

LamieRobertson · Nov 24, 2019

Five minute job

Whatever looks to be a simple job invariably isn’t ...ive text Simmo (explumber) if he sees it he may come on and give advice...all the best

Tom Hark Preston Park · Nov 24, 2019

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

golddene · Nov 24, 2019

Tom Hark said:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?

inadvertently, not bad advice as the valves may have become sticky and by undoing and tightening a few times may result in unsticking the valves, a gentle tap may advance this also.

Tom Hark Preston Park · Nov 24, 2019

golddene said:
inadvertently, not bad advice as the valves may have become sticky and by undoing and tightening a few times may result in unsticking the valves, a gentle tap may advance this also.

YAY! My work here is done! :clap:

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

Tom Hark said:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?

I was waiting for that inevitable piece of advice. An advice thread wouldn't be complete without it.

AmexRuislip · Nov 24, 2019

LamieRobertson said:
Five minute job

Whatever looks to be a simple job invariably isn’t ...ive text Simmo (explumber) if he sees it he may come on and give advice...all the best

Shouldn't that be former plum

PILTDOWN MAN · Nov 24, 2019

Just asking the obvious, you have made sure the heating is off so the pump isn't running?

Beach Hut · Nov 24, 2019

Wallpaper looks gash, I would redecorate first of all

Harry Wilson's tackle · Nov 24, 2019

Bry Nylon said:
Not sure they'll be too happy about all the red marker pen on their walls.

None of us are safe with you about :lolol:

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

So it appears the fault isn't in my workmanship but in the radiator itself. I'll try [MENTION=205]Tom Hark, Preston Park[/MENTION] 's unintentional piece of good advice.
Would it be more likely the thermostat valve causing the problem?

Bry Nylon · Nov 24, 2019

Tom Hark said:
Have you tried turning it off and on again?

golddene said:
inadvertently, not bad advice

Tom Hark said:
YAY! My work here is done!

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

LamieRobertson said:
Five minute job

Whatever looks to be a simple job invariably isn’t ...ive text Simmo (explumber) if he sees it he may come on and give advice...all the best

Thanks. I did have him in mind when I posted. He's helped me out in the past with previous plumbing advice. I know he's retired now but hopefully that doesn't extend to imparting his knowledge and expertise on internet football forums.

AmexRuislip · Nov 24, 2019

I find it quite amusing that there is a thread on effectively leaks, not far from the Leicester match day thread

Nottseagull · Nov 24, 2019

golddene said:
probably one or both valves are failing? easiest way would be to drain the entire system, do your repairs then replace the valves (£10) prior to re fixing and refilling the system and bleeding the whole system, failing that toolstation/screwfix sell a freeze kit which you can freeze the pipes both sides of the offending radiator and hurriedly carry out your repairs. id drain the system personally. good luck.

Ridiculous to suggest all that work for that improbable theory.
OP does the radiator go cold when the valve is closed? If so, how can both valves be faulty?

Freeze kits are only for people who know what they're doing and have done it before.

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

Beach Hut said:
Wallpaper looks gash, I would redecorate first of all

I agree. Not my personal choice but it was me who did that job too. Female friends without a man in their life can become very dependent, although I wasn't actually a friend at the time so was able to charge more. Now she expects mates' rates all the time.

marlowe · Nov 24, 2019

Nottseagull said:
Ridiculous to suggest all that work for that improbable theory.
OP does the radiator go cold when the valve is closed? If so, how can both valves be faulty?

Freeze kits are only for people who know what they're doing and have done it before.

Yes I believe it does but not absolutely certain. I'll have to check with her as I'm not there at the moment.

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