How do you open a lockshield valve?

Insert a #6 Allen key into the bolt in the valve. Alternatively, rotate the screw cap clockwise. Turn the bolt clockwise a few times to open the valve. Water will begin entering the radiator.

Which way opens a lockshield valve?

Most lockshield valves have a plastic or metal cover. You should remove these and open all of the lockshield valves completely. This requires that you turn them anticlockwise. You should also fully open the TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves).

How do you open a lockshield?

Once the system has cooled down, you will have to open the lockshield valve. To do this, simply turn in an anti-clockwise direction (to the left). You can do so by hand; but if your valves are a bit stiff, use your lockshield valve key, a spanner, or the wheelhead valve cap instead.

How do you loosen a lockshield valve?

To adjust the valve, a small spanner, or an adjustable spanner is needed to grip the flats at the top of the valve, if stuck try turning the spanner clockwise first, then anticlockwise to allow a greater flow. Count the number of turns that you do, so that you can return it to the original position if needed.

What happens if a lockshield valve is closed?

On most radiators, this is the valve you can't turn by hand. By closing a fully-open lockshield valve by a few turns (with a pair of grips or screwdriver), you can slow down the rate at which water enters the radiator and reduce the speed with which it gets hot.

How a locksheild valve works

How do you adjust a lockshield valve?

Flow valves or thermostatic valves (where fitted) are set to the fully open position and lockshield valves on all the radiators by turning them anti-clockwise. The plastic cap on the lockshield valve is removed and a small spanner or an adjustable spanner is used to adjust it.

How does a lockshield valve work?

A lockshield valve is the valve on a radiator that is usually covered with a plastic cap. Lockshield valves need to be adjusted when balancing home radiators in individual rooms. A lockshield valve will balance out each radiator within your heating system, ensuring they all heat up at the same rate.

Can lockshield valves get stuck?

If your radiator still isn't working then it's an indication that the Lockshield valve is also stuck. The lockshield valve sits on the other side of the radiator. Radiators have 2 valves one at each end of it – one is the thermostatic valve, the other is called the Lockshield valve.

Do both radiator valves need to be open?

You should open both of the valves on all of your system's radiator when you are starting the radiator balancing process. You will most likely need to use pliers to open the lockshield valve.

How do you open a lockshield valve with Allen key?

Insert a #6 Allen key into the bolt in the valve. Alternatively, rotate the screw cap clockwise. Turn the bolt clockwise a few times to open the valve. Water will begin entering the radiator.

Which side is lockshield valve?

Lockshield valves explained

The lockshield valve, on the side of the radiator opposite the on/off valve, may be adjusted to balance the output of your heating system. The lockshield itself is the plastic cap that covers the valve to ensure that you don't accidentally change the setting once you've adjusted it.

What is lockshield valve on radiator?

The Lockshield valve restricts hot water flow to radiators to help balance the entire system as a whole. Other radiator valves can be used to help adjust the temperature of a radiator to help heat or cool a room.

What are the 2 valves on a towel radiator?

One valve accounts for the amount of hot water that enters the radiator. The other valve, referred to as the lockshield valve, balances the system by regulating how much heat the radiator gives off.

How do you open a radiator valve?

Open up the valves on all the radiators in the house by turning them anti-clockwise (5). Wheelhead and thermostatic valves can be turned easily by hand, but the lockshield will need a plastic adjuster to open it up (these tend to come with new lockshield valves).

Do you bleed a radiator when it is on or off?

Turn off your heating. You can't bleed a radiator when the heating is on, as it may be too hot to touch. You could also get hot water spraying out of the radiator. Use your radiator key to turn the valve at the top of the radiator.

Why is one of my radiators not working?

Check for Trapped Air and Bleed Your Radiators

If just one (or a few) of your radiators aren't heating up, the most common reason for this is trapped air. If you've just turned the heating back on after the summer, air can become trapped in your radiators, causing them to be warm at the bottom but cold at the top.

What is a lockshield key?

The term “lockshield” means that once adjusted, the valve is shielded with the plastic cap that prevents it from being accidentally changed.

Why are there 2 valves on a radiator?

Each radiator will have two valves. One will control the amount of hot water that enters the radiator and the other will balance the system by controlling how much heat comes out of your radiator.

Do all radiators have a lockshield valve?

Lockshield Valves Explained

A lockshield valve is slightly different from manual and thermostatic valves as it controls how much water can exit a radiator. Every radiator has one, and you need them to make sure all the radiators remain balanced in your central heating system.