Leaky Radiator

[Cloverjo]

https://ibb.co/qsvWZ53

Is this a job I can do myself? It looks as if some nuts are the wrong way round. It’s not flush. It leaks at about 3/4 pint per day.
Thank you.

[Etch]

Where is it leaking from? The position of the dish suggests it is the valve that is leaking, rather than the rusty connection to the radiator.

[Cloverjo]

It’s coming from the spaces between the main nut and the smaller nuts either side.

To my untrained eyes it looks as if the smaller nut on the left has been put on the wrong way round.
Compare with a non-leaking radiator
https://ibb.co/G7ZVrTn

Thanks again, Etch :)

[Etch]

If the leak is from the nut in the centre of the picture then it might be stopped if you tighten that nut with a spanner: turn the nut so the side facing you moves down. The nut is a compression fitting and tightening it will clamp the fitting more tightly onto the pipe coming from the radiator. The pipes either side of the nut aren't aligned as well as they could be but a small amount of misalignment should be OK.

[Cloverjo]

Thanks, Etch. I’ll try that when I find a spanner.

[The Builder]

I keep staring at the pics, Jo, but I can't see that anything is the wrong way around.
By all means try what Etch suggests.
However............... in my experience, the joints usually require undoing and re-connecting using ptfe tape.

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ptfe-tape-for-water-12m-x-12mm-10-pack/63859

It's not a particularly difficult job, but I honestly wouldn't suggest you try it yourself.
You'd need to drain the system... then re-fill... then watch it dribble again if the joints aren't made properly.......... and so on.

Best left to a plumber. They know all the things that can go wrong.

[Atheist]

Don't overdo the tightening. A quarter turn is probably too much. If you find it really difficult to turn then don't force it or things might not go too well.

[bhg481]

The Builder is the man to listen to for jobs like this. Just bear in mind if you do try it yourself and something goes wrong you are in deep trouble which will require the heating to be turned off until you can get a plumber out.

[ZebuSanctuary]

Firstly, do you have a neighbour with a mechanical aptitude you can call upon?

Secondly, as with most household DIY problems there are usually a couple of things you can try before parting with your hard earned cash to some unknown trades person.

Water leaks can be deceptive, so do check the valve.

Remove plastic top. Depending on type of valve, the brass stem that appears after removing plastic top is likely to have an hexagonal type nut approx one inch below top of stem.

If the seal in the valve sssembly is worn (common fault with old valves), water will leak past the nut. There will be evidence of water leakage since the nut will be wet.

Loosen the nut and remove, subsequently apply 3/4 turns of ptfe tape arround thread of nut then put it back in place. It will feel 'stiffer' to tighten since you have 'packed' it out with the tape. Also wind the tape in the same direction you would turn the nut when tightening.

Of course, switch off CH before attempting work.

In the nicest possible way, I do hope this is the cause of your Water leak :-)