What is a radiator valve tail

Radiator valve tails are the devices that screw into the two bottom radiator tappings. They are connectors between the radiator and the valves that control the flow of water through the radiator. You might need to change a tail to fit a new type of valve.

How do you remove a radiator tail?

To undo the nut, turn it anti-clockwise. Use a hexagonal valve key to remove the valve tail by turning the key anti-clockwise. If may prove stiff to turn, so don’t be afraid to exert a good deal of pressure as you do so.

Are radiator tails universal?

The connection between your valve and the radiator is standard across all moderns radiators and valves. The size differences listed above refers to the width of your pipes that the valves will slot onto. Most of the time it’s 15mm, but measuring your pipes will confirm.

What size are radiator tails?

Radiator Valve Tail 1/2″ BSP x 15mm This radiator valve tail connects a radiator to a standard radiator valve. The male thread is 1/2 inch BSP (normal size for the connections on a radiator). The tail has a compression nut and olive to suit a valve with a 15mm compression type outlet.

Do radiators come with tails?

Normally the bleed valve and the blanking plug will be supplied with the radiator; the ‘tails’ for the valves are normally supplied with the valves which will need to be purchase separately – you will need one radiator valve (either a manual or a thermostat type) plus one ‘lockshield’ type which may incorporate a drain …

Do you bleed a radiator when it is on or off?

Turn off your heating. You can’t bleed a radiator when the heating is on, as it may be too hot to touch. You could also get hot water spraying out of the radiator. Use your radiator key to turn the valve at the top of the radiator.

Can you reuse radiator tails?

dcox Screwfix Select If it’s like the pic above then you can take the tail out of the old radiator and reuse it (usually an internal hex to undo) and so keep the valve. TRVs all seem to use 1/2” nuts and lockshields are either 1/2” or 3/4”. You do quite often see one of each on a radiator.

What is the best type of TRV valve?

• Elegance Traditional Angled Designer Radiator Valve Set – Black Nickel. …
• Kartell TRV Thermostatic Radiator Valve + Lockshield. …
• iBathUK Premium Chrome Straight Towel Radiator Valves. …
• Myson Standard Thermostatic Radiator Valve Head Only. …
• Myson Contract Thermostatic Radiator Valve Head Only.

Are radiator tails all the same size?

15mm valves are the only size you’re likely to encounter, since 15mm copper pipes are the most common. There are also other sizes, from 8mm to 28mm, and there are accompanying adapters.

Do radiator valves fit all radiators?

While most radiators will see valves meet the pipework at a 90° vertical angle, corner radiator valves are made for use on a horizontal plane, i.e. when pipes come out from the wall and not the floor. You mustn’t accidentally buy corner valves for a traditional radiator installation as they can’t be adapted.

Article first time published on

What are the 2 valves on a radiator?

One valve accounts for the amount of hot water that enters the radiator. The other valve, referred to as the lockshield valve, balances the system by regulating how much heat the radiator gives off.

Can you get 10mm radiator valves?

10mm radiator valves come in a range of different types to suit all homes. 10 mm radiator valves are used to connect to 10mm pipework. To enable quick and easy fitting, they are available in both angled and straight fittings.

Should both radiator valves be open?

You should open both of the valves on all of your system’s radiator when you are starting the radiator balancing process. You will most likely need to use pliers to open the lockshield valve. … Once this is done your radiator system should be fully balanced and your radiators should heat up evenly and efficiently.

Are radiator tails tapered?

Radiator tails are tapered threads and need PTFE, or some form of jointing compound. Compression fittings (nut and olives) are just that and don’t need PTFE.

Do you need to use PTFE tape on radiator valves?

If you are installing a new central heating component (like a radiator or a radiator valve) then it’s advisable to use PTFE tape AND some silicone-based jointing compound, to make the joint completely watertight. … Most plumbers will recommend using the PTFE tape and jointing compound on any new heating installation.

Can I use Teflon tape on radiator?

You can use PTFE tape anywhere there is a compression joint between two sections of pipe. … This is why PTFE tape is commonly used when fitting taps and radiators. Use of PTFE tape, plus a thin coat of plumber’s jointing compound, will ensure a nice tight seal and prevent leaks.

Are changing radiators messy?

While replacing your radiator might seem like a relatively simple procedure, it can be messy and time consuming. A good plumber should be able to replace several radiators in a day, so it’s worth spending a little extra to see the work done quickly and professionally.

What is a radiator spud?

Radiator Valve Spud Wrench is designed for making radiator valve repairs and can be used on 1/2 in. to 2 in. radiator valves. A radiator valve body is connected to the radiator by a spud. The Spud Wrench is used in order to remove the radiator valve and is required to loosen the spud.

What size allen key fits radiator valves?

Use this 1/2 inch size allen key hex spanner to install or remove the tails of union type radiator valves that are screwed into a radiator.

Which way do you turn a radiator valve to tighten?

Grip the valve with a pair of water pump pliers. This will prevent you from breaking the copper pipe. Tighten in a clockwise direction. Feel with your fingers to make sure there are no more leaks.

Do telescopic radiator tails leak?

Used for bridging the gap onto a smaller radiator These telescopic tails make fitting them easy, because the valve has lots of movement. I used these to bridge the gap when downsizing from an imperial radiator. No leaks on any of these.

What happens if you let too much water out of a radiator?

Baird warns that letting out too much water is likely to introduce fresh water into the system, which can make the situation worse as fresh water contains a lot of air. He adds: “Some people also think if a radiator is cold on the bottom but hot at the top then it needs to be bled.

What happens when you bleed a radiator and no water comes out?

If no water or air comes out when you bleed the radiator, then the valve could be blocked with paint. … Insert the radiator key into the bleed valve and slowly turn it anti-clockwise (a quarter of a turn should be enough). You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes.

Why is radiator hot at top and cold at bottom?

If you have a radiator that is getting hot at the top but cold at the bottom, it isn’t a problem with air being trapped in that rad. This is much more likely to be caused by so called ‘radiator sludge’ accumulating at the bottom of the radiator and preventing it from being heated by the hot water in your system.

Can you use WD40 on radiator valves?

If it’s stuck inside the valve or stiff, a spray of WD40 will probably fix it. You can also try using a pair of long-nosed pliers to pull it out further. If it’s stuck right inside, try giving the valve a gentle tap around the outside edges, around the pin, with a hammer.

Why is 1 radiator in my house cold?

Why is one radiator cold when the heating is on? One cold radiator usually indicates that either there is air in the system or there is a stuck valve within that radiator. … To check if the valve is stuck, you can remove the rotatable head on the TRV to reveal a raised pin beneath it.

What is a manual radiator valve?

Manual radiator valves are angled taps on your radiator which are there merely to turn the radiator on and off. … The radiator valve then, is only used to control whether the radiator is on or off and keeps you in control of your radiators temperature whenever you turn it on.

How do you use a manual radiator valve?

The clue to how manual valves work is in the name – you have to turn them to control the temperature. They work just like a tap, by altering the flow of hot water from the boiler into the radiator. The higher the level on the valve, the higher the volume of hot water entering the radiator to produce greater heat.

Are TRV valves universal?

However this in not the case now and most, if not all, TRVs are universal, meaning that the flow can be either way through them without making and alterations to them. This means that there is no restriction to which side of the radiator they can go.

Which is better wax or liquid TRV?

On the whole, liquid models are generally considered to be better and their price reflects this. One of their advantages is their responsiveness to changes in temperature – while the wax one is relatively slow to expand or contract, the liquid capsule will change the flow of water into the radiator far more quickly.

How do I know which valve is which on a radiator?

Valves are located on the bottom of the radiator where the pipes come into and exit the radiator. These are normally situated at the bottom left and right of the radiator, but some radiators have valves that come into the centre of the radiator, again at the bottom.