I have faulty thermostats on my radiators and want to replace them ,do I have to drain the whole system to do this or can I isolate them and one by one
2006-11-19 19:43:32 · 8 answers · asked by ste 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
How do you know they are all faulty, this seems a wee bit unusual. You can remove the thermostatic device easily by just turning the gnurled ring that holds the thermostat mechanism onto the valve body. This should reveal a small "pin" type component which you should "gently" be able to push up and down inside the valve. Try giving this pin a scoot of the old WD 40. If you push the pin right down, this equates to full flow through the valve. If the pins move freely - and I'd be surprised if they do'nt after being freed off by the WD40-then hopefully your thermostatic valves are "DANFOSS" and it's just a matter of replacing the theromstatic elements. If you do have to replace the whole gubbins ( i.e., including the valve assembly" yes it is a job which requires draining the whole system and I personally wouldn't tackle it at this time of year. You're asking for trouble.
Better just screw the valves full open, I have had 3 houses and 2 flats with thermostatic valves and in my opinion the whole concept of thermostatic radiator valves is rubbish.
Hope this helps- remember don't do anything hasty now- WD40 can work wonders....
2006-11-19 19:53:27 · answer #1 · answered by Not Ecky Boy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to drain the system because you will have to remove the old valve from the pipe. unless your thinking of just changing the thermostatic head wich isn't really a good idea as the valve body might be faulty.
2006-11-20 05:38:39 · answer #2 · answered by derek 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you can find the same head to fit the valve, there is no need to drain anything. As above check that the actuating pin is not stuck. I recently replaced the sticking gland seals on my Danfos TRV's and even then the system did not require to be drained. If you need to replace the complete valve you WILL have to completely drain the system.
2006-11-19 20:14:36 · answer #3 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a system for freezing the water in the immediate area for just such work. Probably expensive though.
If you need to change all of the valves it is a good opportunity to flush out and clean the system including each individual radiator. Changing the valve without water in has got to be a better option.
2006-11-19 19:49:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
try unscrewing top of thermostatic valve (so that you have a bronze top with small pin), check the pin is moving feely, sometimes these get stuck, and people replace them without trying to free them, if it is stuck in the down postion, gently tap side of valve and see if this frees it, if it does, work it up and down several times.
if this works, you may need your system cleaned, as sludge etc may be causing it to stick down.
hope this helps, and saves you some cash.
2006-11-19 19:50:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry mate, you need to drain the whole lot down im afraid.
2006-11-20 05:39:09 · answer #6 · answered by Shane H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yOU WILL HAVE TO DRAIN THE SYSTEM TO CHANGE THE VALVES. aS YOU DRAIN IT DOWN OPEN THE AIR VENTS ON THE RADIATORS. START UPSTAIRS FIRST
2006-11-21 08:48:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They should be isolated with their own valves.
2006-11-19 19:47:42 · answer #8 · answered by Hmmm... 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋