When you find a leak in your home it can be a stressful time. Not only can it cause potential structural damage to your home, but it can also be difficult to source exactly where the leak is coming from. Should you find that the leak is coming from one of the radiators in your home, it is important to make sure that you know how to fix a radiator leak to prevent any further damage. There are products designed to help stop a leak on radiators that will temporarily help the problem but not fix it. Regardless of whether you are looking for a solution for how to fix a leaking radiator thermostat in your home or looking to fix the radiators in the living room with leaking pipes, we are here to help.
Firstly, check the radiator for corrosion
If you are living in an older home or you have just purchased a home that has not been lived in for a long time, then checking your radiators for corrosion is advised as this could lead to leaks further down the line. Unfortunately, should you find that your radiators have been leaking because of corrosion then you will have to replace the radiator. Whether these are living room radiators or hallway radiators, there are several replacement radiators out there for you to choose from. You won’t need to know how to fix a radiator leak in this circumstance, as you will just need to replace the radiator if it has suffered from corrosion over time.
How to stop a radiator leak & prepare to fix it
Regardless of whether you are looking for how to fix a radiator leak in the bathroom or a leak in the main landing in your home, it is important to make sure you prepare the area correctly to allow you to fix it. This is a simple process that only requires you to have a bucket and towels to hand. With the towels on hand to soak up the water and the bucket to place under the part that is leaking, you can then begin to look at where the leak is coming from whilst preventing damage to the rest of your home. This is a crucial step to take when considering how to stop a radiator leak.
Locate the source of the leak as soon as possible
Once you have mopped up any water from the leak, it is time to determine where the leak is coming from. You might wonder how much it costs to fix a radiator leak, but it is a common misconception that a leaky valve can lead to a larger bill from a plumber. However, in some cases this may be straightforward to locate and resolve yourself. There are several locations that a radiator could leak from that may not be as easily noticeable, so calling an expert is sometimes the best option.
By completely drying the radiator and the surrounding area, you can make locating the leak much easier. In addition to this, toilet paper or kitchen towel can be used to check each of the fixtures on the radiator to determine where the water is coming from. With many answers for how to fix a leaking house radiator all providing you with the solution that you need, it is important to make sure you are preparing a leaking radiator correctly for the best results.
Fixing a leak in the valve of the radiator
Should you find that the valve of your single panel radiator is leaking, you’ll want to know how to fix a leaking radiator valve the easiest way possible. Though a leaking valve may seem like a much larger issue at first, this is often one of the easier options to fix. A valve leak on a radiator often occurs when the spindle packing becomes worn or damaged over time. But how to fix a leaking valve on a radiator? You should begin by draining the water system and turning off not only the supply valve but also the lockshield valve on the radiator. From there you should undo the nut and open the bleed valve to completely empty the radiator of all water. When this is dried off, you should then begin to apply PTFE tape between 10-15 times around the valve tail.
This tape will allow for the leak to stop temporarily. Should you find that this is not a working solution for how to fix a leaking valve on a radiator in your home, this could be a sign that either the valve or the radiator itself needs removing to fix the issue. To reduce the leaking, you can use products that will help to stop a leak on radiators, but this should only be a short term solution.
Check the pipe joint on the radiator
Another common issue that you may find when looking at how to fix a leaking towel rail radiator is the pipe joint. Though there are several solutions on how to fix a radiator pipe leak, it is important to make sure that you are doing the preparations beforehand to ensure that the repair is a successful one. You should begin by emptying the radiator of all water and removing the nut from the pipe. From there you should then apply either PFTE tape or a sealant and then retighten the nut and refill the heating system. This is a simple yet effective solution for how to fix a radiator pipe leak and will likely save you a visit from the plumber.
Replacing the whole radiator or just the valve
Should you find that you need a solution for how to fix a leaking column radiator or other designer radiators, it’s important to consider all your options and whether it’s just the valve or a whole replacement that’s needed. There are many helpful online resources that can provide solutions on how to fix a leaking radiator, as well as how much it costs to fix a radiator leak if you are on a tight budget. If you are looking for new radiators, it is important to make sure you’re considering the manufacturer you will be purchasing a replacement from. Similarly with any replacement valves, you want to find a reliable source.
By taking your time in finding a trusted radiator manufacturer such as Stelrad, you can begin to find an effective solution for how to fix a radiator leak in your home.
