Can I fix this leak myself? Photos included.

Bananaleaf

Hi all

Have a leaking radiator. Heated by gas. Not sure if this is something I can fix myself. I've attached two photos which you can hopefully see (I've never attached photos before)


https://imgur.com/a/7JITj
In this first photo you can see the rad. The red circle shows the knob I'd twist if I were looking to turn the rad on and off.

The yellow circle is where the key goes if I want to bleed the rad.

The blue circle is where the water was found. It was only a few drops in a 24hr period.

The green circle is where the leak is coming from. The second image, below, is a close up of that green circle area.


https://imgur.com/a/kohAw
Don't know anything about rads. When I turned the key to bleed rad, some trickles of water came out after a small hiss of air. My dad said to close again after that and monitor. So I did that and leak is still there.

That's as far as dad's expertise goes I'm afriad :pac: and I haven't a clue. Bord Gais coming to service boiler but earliest appointment is early Feb and dad says they won't look at a rad for me anyway.

I've no problem getting a plumber if that's what I need to do, but if it's a simple job I'd prefer to do it myself.

thanks in advance and don't laugh if this is a stupid question - I just don't want to cause more damage!

Thanks

EDIT: I've added links cause the insert picture isn't working for me

dok_golf

no photos

Bananaleaf

dok_golf wrote: »

no photos

Yeah, I noticed that the minute it uploaded. I don't know why, but the 'insert pic' thing never works for me.

Anyway, I just uploaded the imgur links instead. If you've any advice I'd love it!

Thanks

Subtle

PTFE job?

slavetothegrind

are you due a boiler service?
If so , or you haven't had one in a year get one and the service tech will happily sort that for you probably without charge or for a minor amount.

daingeanrob

ptfe tape, unscrew the bolt pictured (with heating off) and coat the threads with ptfe tape and re -insert. leak fixed. ptfe tape will cost <€2

Bananaleaf

Subtle wrote: »

PTFE job?

I'm sorry, I have no idea what that means

slavetothegrind wrote: »

are you due a boiler service?
If so , or you haven't had one in a year get one and the service tech will happily sort that for you probably without charge or for a minor amount.

I don't know if the boiler is due a service as we just moved in (just bought) so we are playing it safe and getting it serviced. Next available app from Bord Gais is early Feb.

Will a Bord Gais technician look at it? My dad seemed to be under the impression that a regular plumber would no problem, but not a Bord Gais employee.

Bananaleaf

daingeanrob wrote: »

ptfe tape, unscrew the bolt pictured (with heating off) and coat the threads with ptfe tape and re -insert. leak fixed. ptfe tape will cost <€2

ah okay, PTFE is tape. hehe, I'm a serious novice here. Okay, I reckon I can look up a youtube video of that and do it.

dok_golf

Turn off both valves on rad. Have an old towel ready cos when you unscrew that end you wull have a bit of water coming out and quite often it's filthy. Wrap the PTFE tape several times around the threads on the nut and reattach. Open the vales, turn on the heating and then bleed the radiator . Job done!

Bananaleaf

Thanks all! Super helpful - you might see me round these parts a bit from now on!

railer201

If it's only a few drops in 24 hrs, leave it alone and just put a saucer on the floor to catch any slight drip. Leave it for a week and see if there's any improvement before trying to re-seal it.

Bananaleaf

railer201 wrote: »

If it's only a few drops in 24 hrs, leave it alone and just put a saucer on the floor to catch any slight drip. Leave it for a week and see if there's any improvement before trying to re-seal it.

Will do this before I seal it up.

Just bought the house a week ago, but haven't moved in yet - still just moving stuff into it and waiting on furniture deliveries. House was occupied right up to two weeks before sale closed but I don't know how frequently the rads were used, so will give it a week once we are fully in and we will see what the story is

railer201

Bananaleaf wrote: »

Will do this before I seal it up.

Just bought the house a week ago, but haven't moved in yet - still just moving stuff into it and waiting on furniture deliveries. House was occupied right up to two weeks before sale closed but I don't know how frequently the rads were used, so will give it a week once we are fully in and we will see what the story is

A slight weep is nothing to worry about - such slight leaks often seal themselves.

Bananaleaf

railer201 wrote: »

A slight weep is nothing to worry about - such slight leaks often seal themselves.

thank you so much.

aujopimur

Try tightening the dripping plug using an adjustable spanner.