Here's another daft question for your amusement

[dm65]

I know this is basic knowledge but my trvs are confusing me

Started searching as I didn't want to appear to be an idiot but this seems to be impossible

Found this on the Drayton faq
What range of TRV bodies are Bi- directional?
The 15, 10 or 8mm angled body is bi directional as denoted by the double headed arrow on the valve body. ALL other bodies are flow directional as indicated by the single headed arrow head on the valve body.

All makes sense to me so went and had a look at mine and whilst they appear to bidirectional, should I have a double headed arrow or do two arrows in opposite directions mean the same thing ?

In case I've managed to confuse you as well, here's a link to a rubbish picture taken on my phone - if you zoom in, you should able to see the arrows I'm talking about

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I'll just sit back now and wait for the name calling to end

 

[AWheating]

do they work? if yes then doh worry.

 

[Rickster123]

Ptfe on the thread agggghhhhhhh!

oh sorry, they are bi directional cheap end trvs.

 

[dm65]

They work fine though if they're not bidirectional, they're on the wrong pipe

I want to know that's all - I like to know how things work

 

[dm65]

Ptfe on the thread agggghhhhhhh!

oh sorry, they are bi directional cheap end trvs.

Cheers APP

What defines it as being cheap ? (I agree, whole house has been bodged, but what gives it away ?)

I put that ptfe on btw - sorry, won't do it again as I now know it offends on this site but this was the first time I'd ever touched a radiator

 

[Best]

Def bi directional. Arrows are different directions, - simple!
I agree, - what's that ptfe there for?

 

[Rickster123]

I can smell a cheap trv a mile away Denis. And the ptfe isn't the worst bit, you've used grips instead on a spanner on the nuts.

 

[dm65]

I can smell a cheap trv a mile away Denis. And the ptfe isn't the worst bit, you've used grips instead on a spanner on the nuts.

How very dare you - I've got a pair of Bahcos that are older than my kids and they were used

TRV is what was fitted - I replaced the rad as it started leaking but kept the valves as I didn't know then how to drain the system etc

I do now so I may put my hand in my pocket later and replace them

 

[Best]

It's a cheap TRV, but I wouldn't worry about that. Some cheap TRVs last years. As long as they look decent & not damaged or painted over. That one in the photo has the chrome a bit scuffed with a spanner or grips, that can be avoided. The ptfe offends plumbers when it is put on threads that are not sealing threads, as on compression fittings like above. If that ptfe tape was supposed to stop a leak, then the water would simply pass between the nut & tail/pipe & that's if the olive wasn't sealing right in the first place!

 

[dm65]

It's a cheap TRV, but I wouldn't worry about that. Some cheap TRVs last years. As long as they look decent & not damaged or painted over. That one in the photo has the chrome a bit scuffed with a spanner or grips, that can be avoided. The ptfe offends plumbers when it is put on threads that are not sealing threads, as on compression fittings like above. If that ptfe tape was supposed to stop a leak, then the water would simply pass between the nut & tail/pipe & that's if the olive wasn't sealing right in the first place!

Thanks for that - I know not to use ptfe on these threads now but didn't then

As for failed trv's - what happens when they fail - I'm guessing they just stop regulating ? (just being curious)