How do I turn this towel rail off?

[TheRealMrC]

Hi,

Wonder if anyone can help - I've got this towel rail (pic below) which has two valves on either side (pics on left/right).

How do I turn this off?

I would like to avoid (a) flooding the house or (b) switching off the entire UK water supply, which knowing my level of plumbing skills from past experience, is a very real risk

Do I turn the left one off, the right one off, or both off? Which direction should turn? Are these the right valves even for turning it off - or are they valves to bleed the towel rail?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Ian

 

[WC1]

Put an adjustable spanner not pliers on the square bits and turn like a tap. They're usually called lockshield valves.
You can turn either or both off.
Bleed valve at top of rad.
Without fully understanding your heating system I'd be cautious about turning them off completely and you shouldn't really need to unless it is leaking.

 

[TheRealMrC]

Thanks WC1! The goal is to just reduce the temperature by 90% - in the recent heatwave, having this pumping out full heat was not pleasant. Anyhow, appreciate your response.

 

[WC1]

Ok. Surely you can do that at the boiler.
Some systems use a rad or towel rail with 2 lockshield as a bypass on the heating system. Hence the caution

 

[oz-plumber]

Is that standard piping in the UK?

Absolutely atrocious !!!!

 

[JCplumb]

There's a few reasons why that radiator may need to stay on and turning it off or restricting it may cause issues.
It could be a heat dump, could also have the water that comes out of your hot taps flowing through it (not common but seen it done a few times), use caution when you do it. Do you have a hot water cylinder, sometimes called an immersion?
Those valves could also start to leak if you turn them.

 

[LInjoany]

I turned my towel rail off, and now it is jammed to off and I cant turn it back on again, any ideas

 

[Lou]

(Just bumping a few older threads, they will drop off what is new soon)

Check Out Plumbing News!

 

[TheRealMrC]

Oz-Plumber - The previous owner did enjoy to "bodge" stuff rather than do it properly - we'll be replacing the bathroom at some point, so will get it in nice then!

JCPlumb - Yeah, that cupboard next to it is an immersion or hot water tank (and cold water tank/). Result in poor water pressure throughout house. When had plumber fitting kitchen, suggested tearing this out and moving it into loft and getting a combi downstairs.

I've turned one of them down and it seems to be less hot now. Think goign to leave well alone till I get someone who knows what they're doign in (which will do in next 6 months as having modern radiators popped in).