If you have never really paid much attention to the radiators fitted in your home, then it will be handy for you to know just what type of valves are on them. Now, two different types of valves are fitted to a radiator of your CH system. A valve to open up (anticlockwise) and close down (clockwise) the actual volume of water that can pass through the radiator is the first. This could be a TRV, better known as a thermostatic radiator valve. The system installer usually chose whether to use a manual valve or thermostatic radiator valve, but now building regulations insist that TRV’s must be used. A manual valve can only be fitted to radiators in rooms where a thermostat has been fitted. The TRV closes off the water supply to the radiator when the desired temperature in the room is reached.

Something called a radiator lock-shield valve is fitted on the opposite side, but is made to be slightly more difficult to adjust, as it has a different job to perform. It is also shielded by a plastic domed cap. Streatham Plumbers can fit all types of radiator valves. The lock-shield valve, controls the amount of water that flows through the radiator. It is the same as the manual type of valve. This valve however is pre-set at the time of installation during the balancing procedure. A Streatham Plumber can balance a heating system.

Balancing:
Balancing a CH system will ensure that all the radiators work correctly and all heat up at the same rate. In other words controlling flow. The lockshield valve is partially closed to ensure that the first radiator on the heating circuit does not take all the hot water supply, because it is the shortest route, so as this valve is open by only half a turn, the water is forced to continue along the heating circuit to the next radiator and so on to balance them out.




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