Why are there 2 valves on a radiator?

The reason you need two valves generally on all rads is because the system dictates a flow and return. The flow pipework carries the newly heated water from the boiler. The return taking it back at a lower temperature to be reheated by the boiler.

Should both valves be open on a radiator?

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.

Why do I have two valves on my 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. This is known as the 'lockshield valve'.

Do you turn off both valves on a radiator?

Turn valves clockwise to turn your radiator off and anticlockwise to turn it back on. Turning your radiators off is easy.

What side of the radiator is the lockshield valve?

Systems are normally balanced by adjusting the lockshield valves usually fitted on the return side of each radiator. This ensures that each radiator circuit in the system has an equal pressure drop and receives the correct flow of hot water to heat the space in which it is fitted.

Radiator valves which one do I turn, what direction, which one is the flow.

Should lockshield valves be fully open?

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.

What does the lockshield valve do?

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.

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.

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.

Do I need 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.

Are both radiator valves the same?

Generally, there are two different style radiator valves (that are adjustable by the user) available. These are manual valves and Thermostatic Radiator Valves (also known as TRVs).

Should radiator valves be open or closed?

A Lockshield valve is used to adjust how quickly a radiator takes before warming up – opening means more hot water flows through quicker whereas closing slows down the heating process, so things do not get too hot too fast.

Why are some radiators hot and some cold?

If your radiator is hot at the top but cold at the bottom, there may be a build-up of scale, rust, or sludge which is obstructing the flow of water. As with the middle of the radiator, if you have an open-vent system which is unpressurised and tank fed, you'll be able to use a sludge remover to flush 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.

Why is one radiator cold and hot?

Why is one radiator cold when the heating is on? One cold radiator usually indicates that either there is air in the system or there is a stuck valve within that radiator. The thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), like the one pictured below, controls the flow of hot water to the radiator.

How do you adjust a radiator lockshield valve?

Turn the lockshield valve on the fastest heating radiator

Go to the fastest heating radiator on your list and turn the Lockshield valve clockwise until it's completely closed and then open it by a quarter of a turn.

Why is it called lockshield?

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

Which side of radiator is flow?

The flow of a radiator is typically on the left as you look at it stood up or attached to the wall.

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.

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.

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.

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.