Hard-to-reach radiator valve?

[DaveReading]

Having squeezed an Ikea wardrobe into the corner of the room we use for the grandkids, overlapping the radiator by about 6 inches, I find that I can't reach past it to turn the valve on or off.

I had naively assumed that this would be a common problem (!) and that it would be possible to buy off-the-shelf some kind of extension handle that I could engage with the valve from above the top of the radiator. A bit like this:

although that's designed to fit a stopcock rather than a radiator valve.

I can't find one anywhere - can anyone suggest a source, or am I looking at a DIY effort?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Why do you need to get to it, can you not get to the one at the other end & leave that one open?

 

[User6179]

If you can reach the other valve on the other side just turn it off there .

 

[snorri]

Buy a plastic filler with a top diameter big enough to fit over the valve handle. Attach the small end of the filler to a wooden rod long enough to get down to reach the valve.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Cut a hand sized hole on the back of the wardrobe?

 

[DaveReading]

If you can reach the other valve on the other side just turn it off there .

If only it were that easy.

There's no valve at the other end - it's an elderly dual-entry radiator (both entry and exit pipes at the same end).

 

[sight-pin]

Screwfix have the Rothenberger make, but bit of an expensive idea for just the said.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/rothenberger-universal-stopcock-key-36/71652

 

[Deleted member 26715]

There's no valve at the other end - it's an elderly dual-entry radiator (both entry and exit pipes at the same end).

Can you get to the pipe work anywhere else & put another valve inline

 

[sight-pin]

I take it it's a TRV type valve your wanting to adjust, as the other end should be a lockshield valve, if you adjust that you could alter your system balance.

 

[sight-pin]

Can you get to the pipe work anywhere else & put another valve inline

Good idea.. but i'd expect it may be under the floorboards?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Good idea.. but i'd expect it may be under the floorboards?

It could, but could also be along the skirting, my psychic powers are failing me today

 

[DaveReading]

Buy a plastic filler with a top diameter big enough to fit over the valve handle. Attach the small end of the filler to a wooden rod long enough to get down to reach the valve.

Yes, I was thinking along those lines.

But I've just had another look at the existing knob - I thought it was hexagonal but it's actually 5-sided so I'm not sure whether I can find anything the right shape to grip it.

 

[DaveReading]

No access to the pipework, I'm afraid.

And SWMBO has forbidden me to cut a hole in the wardrobe.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Is it a thermostatic type or just the old style off/on

 

[DaveReading]

Is it a thermostatic type or just the old style off/on

Old style - can regulate the flow, but no thermostat.