Can't shut off TRV - even with plastic cap

I took off bedroom radiator to decorate - was rewarded by lots of water coming out of TRV, so had no alternative but to work quickly and get the pipe ends capped off as quickly as possible.

I then forgot all about it until today, when I finally got around to thinking about putting the radiator back on. Of course, as soon as I loosen the pipe cap, I get water gushing out exactly as before (only this time it's messing up my newly painted walls so I'm even less relaxed about it).

The TRV is a Pegler Terrier, and only about 5 years old, so I'd hope its working fine. The valve settings go down to "0" which I understand is supposed to be fully closed.

I've tried swapping the TRV head with one from another radiator, I've also tried replacing the TRV head with a plastic decorators cap. None appear to push down the valve fully.

I can't think of any alternative now to draining down the system to get my radiator back on. Or am I missing something?

Should I assume the TRV is bust? I've heard of valves being stuck closed, but I would have thought stuck open is less likely? If if try pushing down the valve top with my thumb, I can feel it moving, so doesn't seem to be stuck.

(PS, have posted same query on another forum so apologies to any of you who have seen it elsewhere).

 

Jitender, thanks. But I've tried that... and as I said, the pin does seem to move when I push on it.

 

plumberboy, its a vented system I think (small water tank in the loft).

As to the cr@p, if you mean around the screw thread for the TRV, no, that looks clean enough. If you mean inside the valve, underneath the pin, I don't think there's any way I can get to that so no way to check?

 

Confident then bung tank.[/QUOTE]

Hmmm... I wasn't thinking of replacing the valve, only about how I was going to get the darn radiator back on safely. You're right that if it is not working then replacing makes sense, but fitting a new one sounds like a whole extra world of pain.

 

Memories of the last time I had to remove and replace a compression fitting suggest differently.

But thank you for the advice, which sounds good.

 

OK - one day and one visit to beeandqueue later. Just for once, the "easy job" has gone according to plan. Drained below the radiator, removed TRV, fitted new TRV, replaced radiator, refilled system, bled radiators, no leaks! Shame the carpet fitting didn't go as well, but you can't have everything...

Thanks for the advice.