Snapped the radiator tap off the radiator (Now it's boiling & can't swtich it off)

[ryan.maloney]

Hi,

My young cousin snapped the tap of a radiator (in a rented student house)

Photos of problem:

's very hot. Is there a way to switch the radiator off?

Thanks Ryan

[Andrew Gabriel]

Buy a new TRV head -- they are available separately. Meanwhile, drape a large towel over the radiator to reduce heat output.

[ryan.maloney]

What's a TRV head [is it the tap?], where can I buy it? Do I need any specialist tools to attach it?

Thanks for the advice

(sorry for being thick)

[Stuart]

T hermostatic R adiator V alve There should be valves at each end of the radiator .The one to control the temperature will look something like this .

is likely to be the one that has snapped off .I cant get to see the pics just now .The top part that you turn to increase and reduce the heat is removeable . On the picture of this one look for the nut just below where it says Optima .That unscrews ..Yours will be similar ...dont worry .no water will leak .It is separate from the water running through the valve .You need to get a replacement which might ,but not necessarily , mean buying a complete valve . It's best to try and get the same make as that will ensure it fits but other makes should fit . Let us know how you get on or if you want to know more .

Stuart

[John Rumm]

left on the vavle by the way - you will need to unscrew this knurled ring from the valve base before you can fit the new one.

In the mean time you can use the valve at the other end of the radiator. You may need to take the cap of of it first however. When you do you will see a small brass bar with a flat on it sticking up. You may need pliers to get a grip on this.

It may look like:

that if you turn this one down, count the number of turns you give it when you do. Then restore the original position later when you replace the TRV head.

[ryan.maloney]

When I click Sorry! The item you were looking for has not been found.

Please use the search above and the links opposite to find what you're looking for.

[Rob Morley]

There should be another valve on the other side of the radiator, probably covered by a click-on cover. If you haven't got a handle to fit it you can use an adjustable spanner. It's a good idea to make a note of how many turns it takes to close the valve if it's not fully open, then you can reopen it the right amount after the other one is fixed.

[Stuart]

Cant understand why the link doesnt work for you as Ive just tried it and is DOES work .

Stuart ps.If you want to upload photos for fol;ks to see try using one of the many free upload sites like

Stuart

[Roger Mills]

I've just managed to see the pictures - they were previously 'unavailable'.

As others have suggested, turning off the valve at the *other* end of the radiator is probably the best bet.

However, there *is* something you can do instead if you like. The broken valve has a metal pin sticking out of the top. The thermostatic head (when fitted!) works by pushing this pin down to turn off the flow. If you push it down manually, this will have the same effect. But it's spring loaded - so you'll need to clamp or tape something onto it to keep it down. For example, use a horizontal piece of wood with one end resting on the pin, and the other end on a pile of books of the right height. Then place a weight onto the wood immediately above the pin. This is, after all, DIY!

[Dave H.]

Is there a valve at the other end of the radiator? It may have a plastic cover over the gubbins, secured by a screw at the top, which can be removed to reveal a square-ended shaft - apply small adjustable spanner and turn in a clockwise direction, if it's not seized (if it is, try turning it anti-clockwise to free it up)

Dave H. (The engineer formerly known as Homeless)