Having installed a heated towel rail in the bathroom, consumers begin to enjoy the optimum temperature, and dry things with this appliance. But sometimes it fails, namely, it starts to let water through at the junction. And this problem requires an urgent solution, because in other situations it is possible to spoil not only expensive repairs in your apartment, but also flood the neighbors from below. And that is why we decided to talk about the common causes of the malfunction, as well as ways to resolve it.
Possible reasons why the heated towel rail leaks at the junction
There are more than enough reasons for the leakage of the heated towel rail. In this case, a malfunction may appear not only on old equipment, but also on recently installed models. And the nature of the trouble during leakage will not depend on the model of the device.
Loose nut
Often, leakage is due to the fact that the union nut simply unscrewed. This can happen due to shrinkage or regular temperature changes.
Corrosion of metal
Unfortunately, not only the pipes of the device themselves, but also the joints are exposed to corrosion. To prevent leaks, it is recommended to regularly check the condition of the heated towel rail. Otherwise, the flood is inevitable. In addition, it is recommended that the heated towel rail be protected against water hammer by installing a special system at the entrance.
Gasket wear
This reason is the most popular. Wear of rubber gaskets is the main cause of towel warmers leaking at the joints.
There is a marriage
This reason is relevant when installing new heated towel rails. Sometimes defective models enter the plumbing market, and, unfortunately, consumers are not safe from buying such devices. As a result, the marriage makes itself felt immediately after installation, and the device begins to leak at the junction.
In addition, the marriage may appear on the initially serviceable device as a result of improper installation. therefore when stopping, it is necessary to comply with all the requirements of the manufacturer, and if there are no relevant skills and experience, you need to contact professional plumbers.
What to do if a heated towel rail
Naturally, if a malfunction occurs, it will be necessary to eliminate it urgently, otherwise the flood simply cannot be avoided, and financial waste will be many times more expenses for equipment repair. If you have the knowledge, you can repair the device yourself, since there will be more than enough to eliminate most of the causes of skilled hands. But, and if fixing the device is a problem for you, you need to contact a specialist.
In general, self-repair does not require much time. But before it begins, several preparatory steps will be required. First of all, it will be necessary to block the water in the riser, so as not to flood the neighbors during the repair process. It is also necessary to take some tools for the work.
What tools will be needed to fix the breakdown
To troubleshoot need a minimal set of tools, which should be in every man’s house. You only need to take:
- a suitable key;
- sealant and linen;
- suitable gaskets;
- knife or scissors.
Reference!
If a suitable gasket was not at hand, it can be made independently. All that is needed is to cut it out of a piece of rubber, fitting it under your heated towel rail.
What you need to know to fix a leak
It should be understood that leakage can occur not only as a result of poor-quality installation or intensive operation. A fairly common cause of leakage is the material of manufacture of the purchased device, as well as the quality of the water in it. As you might have guessed, its quality always leaves much to be desired. Only towel rails made of stainless steel can resist the negative effects. But due to their popularity, such models are often faked, and accordingly, in the process of their acquisition, you should be extremely careful not to attack scammers.
Attention!
The market includes not only water, but also electric heated towel rails. And if you want to get rid of even the slightest likelihood of a leak, it is recommended to purchase electric models, since there is no water in them, and the room is heated along with drying things thanks to the heating element.
If a leak occurs, the cause must be identified. If it arose due to factory defects, you must contact the store where you must replace the device under warranty. But, and if the problem is not related to the manufacturer’s error, then you will need to proceed to self-repair. In the process of performing work, it is necessary to be extremely careful so as not to break the pipes and not damage them with the used tools.
What to do if a heated towel rail is flowing under a nut: a step-by-step guide
We offer a step-by-step guide consisting of fairly simple steps that will help you quickly fix the problem.
- First, it is recommended to inspect the union nut. If it is weakened, you only need to tighten it with a wrench, and in this way eliminate the malfunction.
- If the breakdown persists, check the gasket. And if the reason lies in its failure, you should instantly make a replacement, having previously shut off the water and draining it from the heated towel rail. And if there is no relevant knowledge, it is necessary to send an application for a specialist call to the local housing office.
- In case of metal corrosion, it is unlikely that a high-quality repair will be performed. The use of a clamp will fix the problem only for a small time period, and the use of welding in this case will be inappropriate. Accordingly, the problem with the leak can be solved only by replacing the failed device with a new model.
- If none of the above methods helped, you will need to check the installation angle of the supply pipes and the device itself. If installed incorrectly, the probability of a large gap forming is close to maximum, and as a result, a leak will appear. In such cases, the problem is solved by straightening the pipes by level. As an alternative, use a thicker pad.
If the above methods fail, turn off the water supply to the apartment and seek professional help.
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