Towel warmer staying cold after working initially

[xizoom]

Hey everyone!

I have a towel warmer that used to work fine for a few months then all of the sudden stopped. As far as I can tell nothing has changed as in nobody fiddled with the balance of the radiators, the pressure in the combi boiler has been fine, etc.

So far I have tried:

• bleeding the towel warmer - water coming out straight away, no trapped air by the looks of it
• bleeding out a few cups of water and topping up to the right pressure
• turning off all the radiators except for the towel warmer and turning the heating on
• checked the thermostat valve and the little metal knob inside moves fine when pressed down
• the pressure in the system seems to be dropping after bleeding the towel warmer
• the pipe leading to the thermostat valve does not feel warm at all
• all the other radiators seem to be working absolutely fine

Is there anything else I could try? I am completely baffled as to why it stopped working all of the sudden and none of the above helped

 

[Ben-gee]

Has you checked that the lock shield valve is open?

 

[xizoom]

There doesn't seem to be a lock shield valve on this towel warmer? Or at least I couldn't spot one?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Undo the trv head eg the bit you adjust there should be a pin does this move in and out when you push it in

 

[Gasmk1]

The right hand one is lock shield remove nut on front and underneath is is a brass valve with Allen key slot make sure it is out

 

[Knappers]

As Gasmk1 said but count your anticlockwise turns, and put it back to same position all but 1/4 turn.
Or you could try just hitting it with a spanner a few times (not joking)

 

[xizoom]

I tried unscrewing it so it's almost level with the top edge of the valve, but it didn't seem to make any difference

Also tried the spanner hitting option, no luck either.

 

[Ben-gee]

If lock shield is open then it’s most likely to be a stuck pin on the trv- remove the head and waggle the pin in and out a few times.

 

[xizoom]

Did that as well, the pin seems to be moving freely

 

[Ben-gee]

Ok if you tried all of that I think it’s time to take the rad off and flush/inspect it outside with a hosepipe.

Open valves and see if water flows out nicely.

Connect valves together and see if you get flow .

Then report back

 

[Chuck]

Did that as well, the pin seems to be moving freely

If you mean you can easily push / pull the pin in and out then that suggests that the valve has seized shut. The valve should normally be held open by a spring and considerable force should be needed to push the pin in.

TRVs often seize in this manner if they are left closed for longish periods, e.g. during the summer months. A smart tap on the pin with a small hammer may well free it but TBH, once they've seized once they seem to do so again and eventually need replacing.

 

[Knappers]

Agree with Chuck
Tap with tack-hammer (or spanner) untill it springs back up. Would have said before but I've already used the hit it advice and didn't want you thinking thats all I could do.
I'd go as far as advising not to ever pull on the pin!
There's lots of ways to check flow and flush pipes and Ben-gee's advice is good.