Should lockshield valve be open or closed?

As you progress further away from the boiler, the Lockshield valve will need to open slightly more. It's not uncommon for the Lockshield Valve in the first radiator to be open around one-quarter of a turn, while on the last radiator, it may need to be fully open.

How open should lockshield valves be?

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).

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.

Should both radiator valves 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.

What is the purpose of a lockshield valve?

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.

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.

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.

What are the valves on both sides of a 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. For a more detailed insight, take a look at our Radiator Valve Guide.

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.

Why are some of my radiators hotter than others?

Some radiators occationally get quite a bit warmer than others. When this happens it usually means that your central heating system is out of balance. In some instances, radiators can be different temperatures due to the distance that water that heats them has to travel from the boiler or pump.

What position should radiator valves be in?

Many modern homes will have TRVs – Thermostatic Radiator Valves – attached to most of the radiators on the opposite side from the lockshield valves. A TRV should always be fitted to the inlet on the radiator and the LSV to the outlet.

What is lockshield on TRV?

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.

Why are my radiators cold at the bottom?

Why Is My Radiator Cold At The Bottom? A radiator that is cold at the bottom is usually caused by a build up of sludge in the system. This sludge is mainly composed of rust and dirt particles which accumulate from internal corrosion.

Do you need a lockshield valve?

A lockshield valve helps to balance out that radiator and ensure the whole system is in sync, with all radiators heating at the same rate. It is therefore every bit as important a valve as without the system being balanced, there is often little point adjusting an individual temperature valve.

Can you turn off a radiator with lockshield valve?

All radiators have two valves: the lockshield valve and the thermostatic valve. When turning off your radiator, make sure not to do anything with the lockshield valve.

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.

Which side of a radiator turns it off?

To turn a radiator off, locate the thermostatic valve on the left side and turn the valve clockwise until the dial reads 0. Next, find the second valve on the right side of the radiator and twist it clockwise until it won't turn anymore. Once both valves are closed, the radiator will be completely turned off.

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.

What does the snowflake on a radiator mean?

Frost protection mode. Snow flake symbol- Frost protection mode, In cold weather protects the radiator from frost. Allows Minimal flow. 2-3-4-5, the first line being coolest to the last being the hottest.

How far open should radiator valve be?

You should open the Lockshield valve on the first radiator by one-quarter of a turn. Now open the Lockshield valve on the last radiator on your list. Each radiator in between should have its Lockshield valve opened slightly more than the previous radiator.

How does a radiator lockshield 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.

Why are my radiators not getting hot enough?

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.