Own Brand 10mm Angled Manual Wheelhead with Loose Shroud, Centre Tap Valve, Wheelhead Valve, Angled Wheel Head

Manual radiator valves control the flow of heating water through a radiator without a thermostatic head. They are normally fitted as a pair: a wheelhead valve, which you turn by hand to switch the radiator on or off, and a lockshield valve on the other end, which is set once to balance the system.

Wheelhead and lockshield

• Wheelhead: the hand-operated control, used fully open or fully closed. Heads come in traditional and modern styles and several finishes.
• Lockshield: set with a key or spanner and covered by a cap so it is not knocked out of adjustment. It limits the flow so each radiator gets its share of heat, and it can shut a radiator off for maintenance without affecting the others.
• Drain-off lockshields: include a drain point, so the radiator or system can be drained from the valve.

Body and size

Choose angled valves where the pipe comes up from the floor or out of the wall, and straight valves where it runs in from the side. 15mm is the usual pipe size, with 10mm and 8mm valves for microbore systems; some come with push-fit elbows or reducers. The valve tail screws into the radiator with a half inch thread. Separate towel rail valves are made for heated towel rails. BS 2767 is the British Standard for manually operated copper alloy radiator valves.

When a manual valve is right

In England, Approved Document L expects a thermostatic radiator valve or equivalent on each radiator when a boiler is replaced or a new radiator is fitted, except in the room with the main room thermostat. Manual valves therefore suit that room, or rooms whose temperature is controlled in another way. For valves with a thermostatic head, see thermostatic radiator valves; for radiators, see radiators and accessories.