Any plumbers around - what is missing here

[fleariddenmoggie]

I know it is some sort of valve but what do I need to buy to turn the radiator on? TIA

Have a look at what is on your other radiators. If there is a twistable "knob" with numbers then you need a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV).

Unfortunately the radiators are all different- some have thermostats (many of which don’t seem to work) and others have the old fashioned white valves.This had a white cap on which didn’t actually turn anything on but just spun around

What is on the other end?

This is the other side

What's on the other end? If it's a valve with numbers on, that's how you adjust the temp of the radiator and the valve you've photographed is the lock shield valve. In which case get a spanner and turn the valve anti-clockwise to open, and thus allow hot water to flow into the radiator.

@CoffeeBeansGalore Thank you for responding

@titchy. Sorry to be dense - do I use the spanner on the side without the cap? (The first photo)

the valve in your first pic looks like it should have a thermostatic head on it. Don't adjust the other end yet.

Photograph all your otyher TRVs because most likely at leasr one of them will be the same type and the head can be swapped.

Meanwhile, get a metal soupspoon.

Put it in the palm of your hand so the bowl faces outwards.

Put in on the pin projecting from that valve and press down. Does the pin move in?

Only press straight down, not sideways, or the pin may break off.

and show us

the cap you took off that valve, inside and out

and a closeup of the valve itself, especially the middle. You may need flash or a lamp.

@PigletJohn

This is a better photo of the valve in the first photo. If I press it with my thumb, it goes down

OK. Then it is a thermostatic valve and it needs a TRV head.

Try swapping one of the others. Photograph the one you need.

Don't alter the lockshield.

When removing or replacing a thermostatic head, turn it to the highest setting before trying to turn the screw ring. This takes the load off the pin.

@PigletJohn

These are the 2 types

Second one

the second one doesn't look like a TRV to me.

Can you see any makers name on the head or valve?

Have a browse online looking for one to match.

start with

www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/thermostatic-radiator-valves/cat831012?cm_sp=managedredirect--plumbing--trv

www.wickes.co.uk/search?text=trv

and any chain like plumbase, toolstation, B&Q that has a depot local to you. Whoever fitted it probably bought local.

It may be an own-brand or a superseded model, but if you can identify it the maker may still have a valve with a compatible head.

Although you can buy extra heads as spares, it is usually cheaper to buy a complete new valve and use its head. Swapping heads needs no plumbing skills.

If you end up having to buy new valves, I recommend the RAS C2, and you may as well get new matching lockshield valves as a set.

Summer is the best time to work on heating systems,

Are you fond of plumbing?

Does your boiler have a pressure valve?

@PigletJohn - I am definitely not fond of plumbing and have no DIY skills. I was hoping that there was something that I could just buy to fit on top. I may have to put up with a cold room until I can get an expert in.

Thanks for the help everyone

It might be this one

www.screwfix.com/p/white-angled-angled-trv-15mm-x/73649
see also
www.screwfix.com/p/white-angled-angled-trv-lockshield-15mm-x/36326

compare it carefully to yours, especially any markings. It's a budget one.

If it is, or seems to be, the same, you can unscrew the head and give it a try. Practice on the new one. No water will gush out when you unscrew the thermostatic head. You just undo the knurled ring at the bottom.

Not my fault if it doesn't fit!

It looks like it's missing a TRV to me

It's a trv head missing and the trv head you will need is a bulldog trv.

Hi
If you buy a budget TRV head (not the valve) it will fit. Yours has a standard thread. If you have removed the cap (sounds like you have) the radiator should heat up. If it doesn't, open (anti clockwise) the other valve.

Is a trv, use pliers to pull the pin out, make sure the other valve is open using the pliers, don't open too much, Its probably a cheap wax trv, the rad should work fine, if you want to control the temperature of the radiator you will need to get the valve replaced, for plumber price £100.

@Rk307 where is the “pin”?

Pin inwards = no heat, pin sticking out more = heat. If you grip the pin with some grippers and rotate it, and pull it out a bit (they only come out about 1cm max - don't pull too far!) that will make it think the thermostat is at the highest level and the heat should come on. A plumber told me the pins were on a spring, and if you hit it gently with a hammer (on the head of the pin as if knocking it in like a nail) then it should bounce out. I've been too scared to try this in case I knock it in too far. The pins get sticky sometimes so stay inwards, therefore no heat. You can leave the thermostat off - I have several like this!
My plumber told me what to do when he had no time to come and fix my cold radiator. I am an amateur, but fixed it.

I did the bang with a hammer thing and it totally worked!

What JRWilliamsPlumbingServices said.
(just had one valve replaces).

At the end of the Summer TRV's often get stuck shut. Your head is already off so firstly squirt some WD4O on the centre pin. Secondly get a small hammer and just gently tap the top of the pin. If it thuds down with a real clang repeat the gently tapping and eventually (usually) the pin will free it self and you'll notice the hammer bounce when you hit the pin. Always be gentle! Don't use pliers as if you mark the pins they will definitely stick! Lastly get a new TRV head for it otherwise the radiator will be full on all the time and cost you money! Remove a similar one from another radiator and try it on the missing one. If you press down gently but firmly on the top of the TRV with the palm of your hand you should be able to undo the metal ring which holds the head onto the valve. Wiggle the head gently to help the ring undo. If the second head fits the first radiator take it to Screwfix to find a similar one. Buy the whole valve and just use the head keeping the valve as a spare.