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Tiny hole in towel rail leaking water - can I plug it with something?

17 replies

Moppincraxy · 02/04/2022 21:34

Just had a bathroom fitted and new towel rail fitted. I've just noticed there's a tiny hole at the very too and water is bubbling out of it very slowly. I've turned it off for now but the company I bought it from seems to have gone busy and I can't get in touch with them. I can probably get a refund through PayPal but I was wondering if there is a way of fixing it without having to get a new one as its a specific size and style that I can't find anywhere else and the plumber has moved pipes etc to fit it exactly. Can something be soldered onto it that wouldn't be too obvious? Will try to post a pic.

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Moppincraxy · 02/04/2022 21:37

The hole is really tiny it's hard to see but this is the water bubbling through it.

Tiny hole in towel rail leaking water - can I plug it with something?
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Moppincraxy · 02/04/2022 21:38

Sorry so many typos. Company seems to have gone bust and can't get through to them.

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thistimelastweek · 02/04/2022 21:40

It's new and it's not right. I'd really pursue proper redress from the responsible company.

VerbenaVerveine · 02/04/2022 21:41

Have you contacted the plumber who fitted it? Plumber's tape etc can be great on normal pipes but I'm not sure if it'd stand up to the pressure, and it might not look great. Hopefully your plumber can advise what's best.

VerbenaVerveine · 02/04/2022 21:42

Definitely pursue a refund through PayPal while you look into other options. They won't want the item back unless they can replace it.

thistimelastweek · 02/04/2022 21:43

Sorry, just saw your update.

Pursue refund, look for plumber?

Sorry this happened to you.

TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 21:44

You can get silicon leak sealant but it’s only temporary.

I’d say the only thing is to pursue the company and get them to send you a replacement.

GlitterSquid · 02/04/2022 21:45

You can buy a chemical metal or quiksteel but it will be visible and not look great.
It needs replacing

TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 21:46

If can get a refund through PayPal you could always order a replacement yourself.

But Papal replacements take a while.

Moppincraxy · 02/04/2022 21:47

Thanks. Will PayPal just agree to refund then if I can't get in contact with the company?

I'll try to get a replacement but annoyingly can't find the same one or same size anywhere else.

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MadMadMadamMim · 02/04/2022 21:49

You need @PigletJohn.

Hopefully that will alert them!

TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 21:57

I meant get a replacement from the same company - you’d be very unlucky to get the same fault twice. (Not that they deserve your custom but it’s difficult if that’s the only footprint that fits).

Moppincraxy · 02/04/2022 22:19

The problem is that I think the company may have gone bust. The website front page is working but I can't click through to anything and the phone number is disconnected. I can't find the product on any other website. I will have to order a different product from somewhere else and hope to get a refund from PayPal.

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TatianaBis · 02/04/2022 22:35

Bummer. It’s lucky you paid through PayPal.

PigletJohn · 02/04/2022 23:31

not much chance of a repair. I expect it is made of chromed steel, which is prone to rust (often from the inside), and possibly starting before it even leaves the factory. Something to do with the electrochemical table of reactivity (I may have got the name wrong). Chinese steel is usually of very poor quality as it is made of inferior alloy for cheapness, even their stainless steel tarnishes and rusts if it has no nickel in the mix.

I don't know, but the point you show might be a badly-made welded joint when it was made, and there is perhaps a crack or thin or porous spot under the chrome, so that even if you bodge it up, it will leak again.

At greater expense, if you can afford a stainless steel one, it will last quite a lot longer. The best I have seen are made of brass, chrome plated, and are often very large diameter pipes in an H or gym-bar configuration, with ball-shaped connectors in the corners. I have known them in fine condition after 50 years or more, long after steel radiators have rusted and leaked.

I take it you have closed the valves at both ends. This will stop the radiator being pressurised, and the leak will fade away. You can use the bleed screw to check there is no pressure.

MadMadMadamMim · 03/04/2022 04:48

@PigletJohn I know you'd have sterling advice if someone called for you!

Thank you for responding. Smile

Moppincraxy · 07/04/2022 21:28

Thank you everyone. Happily I managed to get hold of the company and they've arrange a replacement. Hope this one doesn't have any holes in!

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