If it's broken, leave it
Discussion
For years the motorised valve in my heating system had been partly stuck, meaning that hot water circulated through the upstairs radiators when the HW was on but the CH off. I simply dealt with it by closing the affected radiators.
So when I decided to get a larger HW tank fitted, it seemed obvious to get the faulty valve changed too.
However, one benefit I hadn't stopped to identify is that the faulty valve gave me a hot towel rail in the bathroom at all times of year, and hence also a nice warm towel.
Now in the mornings the towel rail is stone cold and the towel is slightly damp from the day before; most depressing.
I called the plumber and asked if the little lever on the side of the valve could be used to help anything - but it seems this is a manual override and will reset every time the system fires up.
As the weather warms up, my towels will stay colder for longer.
Arse.
So when I decided to get a larger HW tank fitted, it seemed obvious to get the faulty valve changed too.
However, one benefit I hadn't stopped to identify is that the faulty valve gave me a hot towel rail in the bathroom at all times of year, and hence also a nice warm towel.
Now in the mornings the towel rail is stone cold and the towel is slightly damp from the day before; most depressing.
I called the plumber and asked if the little lever on the side of the valve could be used to help anything - but it seems this is a manual override and will reset every time the system fires up.
As the weather warms up, my towels will stay colder for longer.
Arse.
You may be able to fit an electric element to your existing towel rail. Will have to alter the pipework slightly and have it hooked up to the mains.
Or you could have it piped into the Hot Water side of the zone valve, but it will be cold when the cylinder isn't calling for heat. Not too sure on the regs about doing this either.
Or you could have it piped into the Hot Water side of the zone valve, but it will be cold when the cylinder isn't calling for heat. Not too sure on the regs about doing this either.
As above, fit an element.
Toasty warm towels all year round
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/99279/Plumbing/Towel...
Toasty warm towels all year round
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/99279/Plumbing/Towel...
Thanks guys - the electric element idea seems to be out (unless there's a smaller design) as there's only 1" between the bottom of the valve and the floor, or 4" between radiator and floor. It also seems such a clunky, costly way of achieving what was done so easily before by a busted valve 
I'd quite like to stick a screwdriver into the new valve... Ferg, can I sabotage it? Or connect it via a timeclock so it's partly disabled?
I'd quite like to stick a screwdriver into the new valve... Ferg, can I sabotage it? Or connect it via a timeclock so it's partly disabled?
It is possible to buy an electric element to heat a towel radiator (probably will require the existing radiator to be changed if it's just a standard white radiator though). Of course you'll also need a power supply to the radiator too, which is more work, cost and hassle.
EDIT: I typed this two hours ago and didn't hit submit...looks like I'm not the only one to suggest this.
EDIT: I typed this two hours ago and didn't hit submit...looks like I'm not the only one to suggest this.
Edited by OldSkoolRS on Wednesday 24th March 21:23
This is the culprit:
Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
Simpo Two said:
This is the culprit:
Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
They tend to seize if you leave them turned off anyway. I just run the CH for 20 minutes in the morning with all other rads turned off. It means I get a nice toasty towel and the CH valves don't get knackered.Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
Simpo Two said:
This is the culprit:
Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
see the metal lever sticking out, push that up and hook it into the wider section at the top of the slot. This will keep the valve open Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
Well guessing you can't plumb it into the DHW side of the valve as it look like you only have an inch of pipe between the valve and cylinder.
Do you have a gate valve on the CH pipe work? If so, leave the CH on and throttle back the gate valve, should give the same effect as a partially open three port valve.
Do you have a gate valve on the CH pipe work? If so, leave the CH on and throttle back the gate valve, should give the same effect as a partially open three port valve.
.:ian:. said:
Simpo Two said:
This is the culprit:
Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
see the metal lever sticking out, push that up and hook it into the wider section at the top of the slot. This will keep the valve open Open to ideas!
I don't know whether the old one was slightly jammed or completely broken, but keeping the towelrail warm was brilliant. I also miss the creaking of CH pipes which acted as a gentle alarm clock!
If I disconnected it from the mains, thus kiling it completely, would that do achieve the desired result or make a bigger problem?
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