Rounded off Radiator Bleed Valve

Renno123

Hi All, I am trying to bleed the radiators in the house, However one of the radiator bleed valves has been rounded off and the valve key is unable to drab hold.

The bleed valve is at the rear of the rad, so access with a plyers has not been successful.

Does anyone have any tips/ ideas how i can get the bleed valve open? Also, where can i get a replacement valve?

thanks

saabsaab

Happened to me. You could try a slightly undersized socket and force it on then turn. Didn't work for me but worth a try. I eventually drilled a small hole in a suitable spot and closed with a small self tapper with a rubber seal.

1874

Suggest turning down both valves on either side of the rad while doing anything, close down the adjustable side fully, and the non adjustable balancing side too (just count the amount of turns and make note to return to its original setting). If rad downstairs, and if the bleed valve breaks off, all the water in the system above it will drain out if the bleed valve breaks off while working on it.

If it's still inaccessible, it might help to dissconnect amd remove the rad to do the job, after doing the above first, disconnect one side first and drain whats in the rad into a container, then the other and remove to do task. any pictures?

10-10-20

If you have no luck with the above, drill the brass with a small (2mm/2.5mm) HSS bit and use a screw extractor to pop it out.

I often find that the action of drilling the brass frees it up from thermal expansion, so maybe just try that first.

jack of all

Try all of the above, especially pressing a small socket onto the head. You can pick up spare brass vent screws i your local hardware/ plumbers merchant.

Renno123

Thanks all. Much appreciated. I will tackle this after christmas.

ciarsciars

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118367471#Comment_118367471

Hey, did you ever sort this out? having the same issue myself.

GreeBo

You can typically just buy a whole new endcap that has a bleed valve built in, by far the easiest way to solve it.

Just close both valves and let the radiator cool a bit first.

ciarsciars

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119994865#Comment_119994865

Unfortunately it's not that type of radiator, no endcaps.

Sleepy

You can buy spare brass vent screws in any DIY store. To remove the old screw, try using a rubber band between the radiator key and the head of the screw. Turn off the valves both sides (and let the radiator cool down) before replacing it.

monseiur

You may have to take rad off wall, insure that both valves are closed fully. Have a low basin & plenty of old towels, sheets / rags to hand to absorb the inevitable spill. A small screw extractor should pop it out, it may help to heat it with a blow lamp if you have on to hand, be sure to cover the area with tin foil otherwise the flame will damage the paint.

Mav11

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119994865#Comment_119994865

Even with cold rads will there be a large spillage of water?

Sleepy

Once the valves are fully closed on both sides, you'd only lose whatever water is above the bleed valve so, no, there shouldn't be a large spillage of water. There'll be some of course but if the rad already needs bleeding, there shouldn't be too much water above that point...

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119995183#Comment_119995183

Do you have a picture of what you have at the moment?

Even my ancient cast iron rads have end caps!

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119995224#Comment_119995224

Without the pressure of the pump (since the valves are closed) or pressure from the water being hot, very little will come out as its basically airlocked.

Note that you want to close the valves after it cools.