What to do if the heated towel rail is leaking at the connection point

By installing a heated towel rail in the bathroom, consumers begin to enjoy the optimal temperature and dry things using this device. But sometimes it fails, namely, it begins to leak water at the junction. And such a problem requires an urgent solution, because in other situations you can ruin not only expensive repairs in your apartment, but also flood your neighbors below. And that is why we decided to talk about the common causes of the malfunction, as well as ways to eliminate it.

Possible reasons why the heated towel rail is leaking at the connection point

There are more than enough reasons for a heated towel rail to leak. In this case, a malfunction can appear not only on old equipment, but also on recently installed models. And the nature of the problem when leaking will not depend on the model of the device.

Loosening the union nut

Often leakage is due to the fact that the union nut has simply been unscrewed.This can happen due to shrinkage or regular temperature changes.

Corrosion of metal

Unfortunately, not only the pipes of the device themselves are subject to corrosion, but also the connection points. To prevent leaks, it is recommended to check the condition of the heated towel rail on a regular basis.. Otherwise, a flood is inevitable. In addition, it is recommended to protect the heated towel rail from 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 reason for heated towel rails to leak at the joints.

There is a marriage

This reason is relevant when installing new heated towel rails. Sometimes defective models end up on the plumbing market, and, unfortunately, consumers are not insured against purchasing such devices. As a result, the defect makes itself known immediately after installation, and the device begins to leak at the connection points.

In addition, defects may appear on an initially serviceable device as a result of improper installation. That's why when stopping, you must comply with all the manufacturer’s requirements, and if the appropriate skills and experience are missing, you need to contact professional plumbers.

What to do if your heated towel rail is leaking

Naturally, if a malfunction occurs, it will need to be eliminated urgently, otherwise a flood simply cannot be avoided, and the financial waste will be many times greater than the cost of repairing equipment. If you have the knowledge, you can repair the device yourself, since skillful hands will be more than enough to eliminate most causes.But, if repairing the device is a problematic task for you, you need to contact a specialist.

In general, DIY repairs will not take much time. But before you start, you will need to complete several preparatory steps. First of all, you will need to turn off the water in the riser so as not to flood your neighbors during the repair process. You also need to take some tools to carry out the work.

What tools will you need to fix the problem?

To troubleshoot you will need a minimum set of tools, which should be in every man's home. All you need to do is take:

• suitable size key;
• sealant and flax;
• suitable gaskets;
• knife or scissors.

Reference!

If a suitable gasket is not at hand, you can make it yourself. All you need to do is cut it out of a piece of rubber and fit it to your heated towel rail.

What you need to know to fix a leak

It should be understood that leaks can occur not only as a result of poor installation or intensive use. 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 heated towel rails made of stainless steel can withstand the negative impact. But due to their popularity, such models are often counterfeited, and accordingly, in the process of purchasing them, you should be extremely careful so as not to fall for scammers.

Attention!

There are not only water heated towel rails on the market, but also electric heated towel rails.And if you want to get rid of even the slightest possibility of a leak, it is recommended to purchase electric models, since they do not contain water, and heating the room along with drying things is done thanks to the heating element.

When a leak occurs, the cause must be identified. If it occurs due to a manufacturing defect, you need to contact the store, where you should have the device replaced under warranty. But, if the problem is not related to a manufacturer’s error, then you will need to proceed to self-repair. During the work process, you must be extremely careful not to tear off the pipes or damage them with the tools used.

What to do if the heated towel rail is leaking from under the 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.

1. It is recommended to inspect the union nut first. If it is loose, you just need to tighten it with a wrench and fix the problem in this way.
2. If the damage persists, you will need to check the gasket. And if the reason lies in its failure, you should immediately replace it, having first turned off the water and drained it from the heated towel rail. And if the relevant knowledge is not available, you must send an application to call a specialist to the local housing office.
3. If the metal is corroded, it is unlikely that it will be possible to perform high-quality repairs. Using a clamp will eliminate the problem only for a short period of time, and the use of welding in this case will be inappropriate. Accordingly, the leak problem can only be solved by replacing the failed device with a new model.
4. If none of the above methods help, you will need to check the installation angle of the supply pipes and the device itself. If installed incorrectly, the likelihood of a large gap forming is close to the maximum, and as a result, a leak will appear. In such cases, the problem is solved by straightening the pipes to the level. An alternative is to use a thicker gasket.

If the above methods do not work, turn off the water supply to the apartment and seek professional help.