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[Terbs]

Hi all....
My daughter has informed me they have a blocked rad, and wants me to fix it next Monday when I go over. They have a TVA that only goes to frost protection. When I was in the decorating trade, I had 'decorator caps' so you could take off the top of the TVA, screw the cap on till it shut the TVA completely. I can't seem to find them.
I have searched for them online, but apart from some flashy type, I can't seem to source them. One forum said you can't get them, only with a new valve.
Another forum said cap the valve at the outlet end, but if it won't turn off, how the heck do you do that without jetting water everywhere.
Do you think a proper plumbing shop would stock them....
Advice would be appreciated

And a question to TB if he reads this....are there any decent plumbing shops in Brackley, or is it a Banbury/Bicester jobby.

[Entwood]

On the Danfoss valves I have fitted I remove the temperature head then use a large jubilee clip, bent to an "egg" shape, to screw in the little metal plunger that does all the work, the narrow end of the egg on the plunger stops it sliding off, the large end around the inlet pipe. standard "off valve at the other end and then remove the rad .... works every time

[Terbs]

Hmmmm...that sounds interesting, matey
I will have to pluck up a bit of confidence with that one.....but if it works for you..

I am trying to picture it in my mind.......I can't visulise the jubilee clip round the inlet pipe, I fully understand the thin end of the 'egg' bit over the plunger though

[Entwood]

On mine, the pipe comes up vertical into the body of the TRV then does a 90 right into the rad. The TRV head is horizontal on the 90 left. Take the head off and the TRV plunger remains horizontal left.

The jubilee clip is undone fully and passed around the body of the TRV, then across the end of the plunger, then back into the screw housing. Do the jubilee clip up and as it tightens it compresses the plunger into the TRV body, so shutting off the flow.

I have one rad where the TRV is Vertical, same thing can be done but less room to manouvre  as the amount of body to play with is less, and the inlet pipe cannot be used

HTH

[Terbs]

Ah, yes....this valve is vertical

Great explanation mate...many thanks.
I can fully visulise the horizontal system TVA and your method. I shall remember that for future use on those types

[YZ250]

I've used a small metal disc under the original cap before. Unscrew cap, place disc inside, screw cap back on to prevent pin coming up.
I've also had great success with decent cable ties, using a similar method to Entwood. 

[SIR Philbutt]

Most TVA's are capable of being turned completely off

One way I have found is when it is at the frost position feel under the plastic body next to the pointer and there is a "peg" that can be pulled out to allow the valve to be turned all the way off

Some of the Danfoss ones I have come across you either take the body off then turn past frost point and then replace and others have a small hole that you push a screwdriver in and this allows it to go to zero

Point to note is that when in frost position the valve is virtually off so you can drain and remove rad. I have a piece of pipe with a compression coupler on and stopper which I screw on to TVA rad connection to prevent any "dribbling"

HTH
Phil

[Marks DTM Calib]

Remove the TRV head, place one or two pennies on top of the plunger on the valve, re-fit the TRV head.

Very cheap and easy to do (costing just 1-2p) 

[Terbs]

Brilliant advice all of you

[Steve B]

I've used a small metal disc under the original cap before. Unscrew cap, place disc inside, screw cap back on to prevent pin coming up.
I've also had great success with decent cable ties, using a similar method to Entwood. 

same has him ..body off blob of blue tac and a battery out your hearing aid job done