I re-sited a radiator which now drips. I put plenty of PTFE tape on, made sure olives were ok and tightened as much as I dared - but still a slight drip from each side around the valve. Now the weather has turned colder and the heating comes on there is no drip. I guess that expansion is the reason. Now the radiator is dry and warm would anybody recommend putting some sealant around the joints?
Drippy radiators
Oct 25, 2006
6 Replies
I would apply plumbers jointing paste (boss) to the threads:
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tape isn't much good in these circumstance, and applying sealant around the joints externally is useless.
Fernox do a silicone sealant which stopped a minor leak from the lower seam on a downstairs radiator for years - until it corroded through in other places. (Standard two storey house - pumped, non pressurised system ) I think it's still available.
It certainly is
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I used some to stop a leak on the pipework to a garden tap & it worked a treat.
Whilst the radiators are warm, the slight leak is evaporating. It will come back when they are cold. Best make the joints off properly. (i'm not going to get into the ptfe tape contrversy).
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I have used gas PTFE tape (much thicker) to stop leaks where the valve body screws into the radiator and it seems to work a lot better than normal PTFE tape. I don't use anything on the other joints.
Thanks guys! Have redone the rad this afternoon using PTFE and this magic jointing compound as recommended. All seems leak free at the moment.............
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