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.

What is a lockshield?

Lockshield valves are the covered valves on a radiator, usually by a plastic cap which prevents them from being accidently altered. Once this has been temporarily removed, lockshield radiator valves can be adjusted by turning the spindle to control how much water stays in or flows out of the radiator.

What is the difference between a lockshield and radiator 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.

What is TRV & lockshield?

If your home is equipped with Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs), the latter automatically regulate the flow (supply) of hot water to the radiator. Meanwhile, the lockshield valves control the return.

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.

How a locksheild valve works

Should lockshield 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).

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.

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.

Should I have TRV on all radiators?

We recommend you fit a thermostatic valve on every radiator. But there's no need to fit one in a room with a fixed room thermostat.

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.

What does closing the lockshield valve do?

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.

Do both valves on a radiator 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.

What is a lockshield cap?

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.

What is a lockshield in plumbing?

A lockshield or a lockshield valve is a type of radiator valve. It connects a radiator to the return pipe to the boiler. It is one of two valves normally found on radiators, the other being the TRV (thermostatic radiator valve). A lockshield can easily be identified by its small white plastic cap.

Should radiators heat from top to bottom?

We all know that heat rises, so having a radiator that's cooler at the bottom than the top might not seem like cause for alarm. However, radiators are designed to emit heat evenly once your central heating has kicked in - they should never be colder at the top or cold at the bottom once the system is up to temperature.

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.

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.

Should a TRV be on the flow or return?

Should TRVs be installed on the flow or the return pipe when fitting a radiator? Most modern thermostatic radiator valves are bi-directional – so can be fitted on either the flow or return pipe of your radiator. However, it's always best practice to fit the TRV on the flow pipe that enters your radiator.

Should you put a TRV on a towel radiator?

In theory, it's completely possible to install a thermostatic radiator valve on a heated towel rail and in theory the process would be the same exactly as described above. However, it's always recommended to have at least one radiator in your home to have manual valves, without a TRV.

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.

What does V mean on radiator?

When you turn the trv it will engage it and rad will heat up. Triangle when lined up with a dot or line on the valve means the flow to the radiator is fully open.

Do radiators have a flow direction?

The new radiator is marked for the direction of flow; through the valve and in at the top of the radiator.

How do you balance upstairs and downstairs radiators?

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.

Does balancing radiators save money?

Does balancing radiators save money? Balancing your radiators can save you money on your heating bills. This is because you're giving the correct balance to each radiator to ensure your boiler doesn't keep cycling on and off and giving your system a nice smooth flow.