How to Fix a Leaking Radiator

Has your radiator started leaking? We can help you find the faults with your leaking radiator, to help you nip the leaking radiator problem in the bud before it gets worse. Read our guide on how to fix a leaking radiator…

How to Fix a Leaking Radiator

You’ll need a few tools to get to the bottom of the problem. Have these to hand:

• An old towel
• Bucket
• Toilet tissue
• Screwdriver
• Spanner

Locating the leak

Ensure your radiator is dry by giving it a rub up and down with a towel. This makes it easier to see where any leaks are coming from

Take a piece of toilet tissue and place it on one of these areas:

• The body of the radiator – moving it around
• The bleed point, valve, or tail
• The feed pipe that brings water into the radiator

This should help you work out where the leak is coming from.

Radiator valve or radiator gland?

If the radiator valve is the cause of the leak, this can sometimes be sorted by tightening it or replacing its olive.

Leaking from radiator body – Pinhole leaks

If the leak is coming out of the main body of the radiator, this is most likely what is known as a pinhole leak. These are caused by corrosion or sludge inside the radiator. As the name says, pinhole leaks are very small, but they can mean you need a new radiator.

Leaking radiator valve

A typical cause of a leaking radiator valve is damage to the internal spindle packing. When it comes to fixing such a leak, it’s actually easier than you might think as this type of leak often happens when a valve is partly open, so if you try tightening it the leak should hopefully stop.

L&W Heating and Plumbing

If you need to call on a Gas Safe registered plumber call L&W Heating and Plumbing experts Warrington on:-

Wigan Central Heating Engineers 01942 417220
St Helens Central Heating Engineers 01744 776140
Newton Le Willows Central Heating Engineers 01925 394260
Warrington Central Heating Engineers 01925 394260
Runcorn Central Heating Engineers 01925 394260
Widnes Central Heating Engineers 01925 394260