Radiator Valve Sizes

[AWJD]

I tried to adjust the lockshield valve on my 15 year kitchen radiator and it started leaking. I therefore decided to replace it and thought this would be a straightforward job. Unfortunately, the thread on the old valve appeared to be about 1" in diameter as was the nut on the radiator outlet.

I went round to our local Graham Plumbing merchant and nobody there seemed to have ever come across a radiator with this size valve before. If I can't find a suitable valve or converter then this radiator will need to be replaced which seems a little bit drastic.

Is the world going mad or is there a plumber out there who can offer me a solution?

 

[rocketmanbkk]

Post a pic of the valve. You might need. Valve & rad tail

A pic will tell a thousand words

 

[Chalked]

Most new radiator valves are 1/2 inch, thread/ 15mm copper. You have a union type radiator valve. These are 1". The trouble is that there are lots of different types of these, so you are better off removing the tail ( the bit in the rad) and use the tail that comes with a new valve.

 

[COHIBA1207]

Hi 3/4" on domestic is normally the biggest on a rad this age
Commercial valves can be bigger for black iron fitting
try using brass bushes or reducers to get to the correct size if there is enough room on the pipework
use a good seal prob PTFE as bushes and reducers are often not tapered

 

[turnpin]

Welcome AWJD to the forum's......any chance of a picture of the valve as it could be helpful with your enquiry.....regards Turnpin :welcome:

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Hi 3/4" on domestic is normally the biggest on a rad this age
Commercial valves can be bigger for black iron fitting
try using brass bushes or reducers to get to the correct size if there is enough room on the pipework
use a good seal prob PTFE as bushes and reducers are often not tapered

It's a lockshield Union mate

 

[rpm]

Hi 3/4" on domestic is normally the biggest on a rad this age
Commercial valves can be bigger for black iron fitting
try using brass bushes or reducers to get to the correct size if there is enough room on the pipework
use a good seal prob PTFE as bushes and reducers are often not tapered

Welcome to the forum.

Bit of an over kill isn`t? Bushes and fittings can be parallel or tapered threads and easy for an amateur to get wrong.

 

[AWJD]

I attempted to load a picture of the valve via the 'Image' icon but, after selecting the file, the update file(s) link didn't work. Could someone please explain what is going wrong?

 

[AWJD]

Not sure the upload of the picture worked but if it did it shows the Lockshield valve with 1" thread. .

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Stnd drain off lockshield, if it's leaking where the ptfe tape is wants some compound on it