Hey there in new england wth a blizzard on the way :(. I noticed a few weeks ago that my radiator in my bedroom was always cold. I have lived in this house for 11 years don't know why I am just noticing now. Anyway I discovered that the radiator valve in my room was closed. I shoudl have know it was closed for a reason. I turned it on Wednesday night. everything was fine until this morning. It started leaking thru the celing. my husband tightened it turned it back off and it was fine for a while until it started leaking again! I have since turned the heat off. What can I do now? Did I mention we are bunkered down for a blizzard here? I won't get a plumber out here for days and I fear with the blizzard winds if I keep the heat off the pipes will freeze! Help any suggestions? why didn't it stop leaking after we turned the valve off again??? I am so freaking out right now!
daniel treasure was correct, but if it is still leaking then it is the packing gland that has worn. make sure that both rad valves are closed, keep hold of the spindle on the leaking rad valve with a appropiate tool so it does not turn, then loosen the packing nut clear of the valve so it rides up the spindle, where the packing nut left the valve you will see the threads where it was attached to, now, get some fine string and a small eletrical screwdriver/ pointed knife, with the string wrap it round the spindle and push into the packing nut theads, but leave some threads showing so you can get the packing gland nut start to bite, tighten the nut up, open the valve slowly and hopefully the string will have compressed enough to stem the leak. good luck.
look to see if there is a packing nut on the valve, if that is where it is leaking tighten it . when you opened the valve you filled the radiator , it may just be draining back out.i would turn the heat back on for a coming blizzard . good luck
Turn the radiator water valve back on and then while holding the tap on tighten the nut until it stops leaking. Sometimes(like us) as the valve gets older the packing inside the valve starts to break down and when you turn the valve on it turns the nut open a little bit with it. Just tighten it up and get you heat going before you and your pipes freeze. Good Luck Richard
