How do you remove a radiator

[Steve3502]

Hi

Sorry for posting a topc that has been posted many times before.

I am trying to remove a radiator in order to remove the skirting board before putting laminate flooring down.

I have followed instructions on how to remove the radiator however the nuts are on too tight (I am trying to unscew them in the right direction).

The nut is difficult to get to as you can only get to half the nut as the radiator lip covers half the width of the nut. I am using a second adjustable spanner to hold the valve. When I apply too much pressure I get a small leak from the valve and the nut will just not move.

Is it feasible to turn the hot water off and remove the nuts from the valve instead?

Thanks

 

[kevplumb]

Is it feasible to turn the hot water off and remove the nuts from the valve instead?

you will get wet if you try
View media item 14390
might work if you drain the heating system after you turn it off

might also help if you tell us what system you have

 

[Steve3502]

Its an old oil trianco boiler

 

[kevplumb]

turn it off and drain down is your only other realistic option

unless its open vent and you fancy having a go at pluging the header tank

 

[Steve3502]

Thanks Kev.

Its not going to be as straight forward as I had hoped for.

In between writing on here I have managed to prise the skirting from the wall with a crow bar beneath the radiator. However now its off it is still behind the radiator and won't come out unless the radiator is removed of the skirting cut. Im temped to cut it in two and use some filler to hide the join when I put it back together

 

[doitall]

Cutting the skirting at 45% would be a much better plan.

 

[cmother1]

Steve - just to make certain you've been trying to turn the unions the right way - here's a piccy.

Untitled

• cmother1
• 10 Sep 2009
• 1

This is a standard "old fashioned" radiator valve. Reverse direction for right hand end.

 

[Steve3502]

Thank you everyone for your reply.
Cmother thank you very much, I am embarrassed to say it but I was trying to do it in the wrong direction.I was working anti clock wise out as though the nut was attached to the radiator

You have saved my sanity and my skirting boards. I think iy just as well I am getting a joiner in to lay the laminate!

 

[Steve3502]

One final question the water came out very black, would that suggest sludge or just dirty water, the lower part of the radiator is only warm.

 

[doitall]

It suggests it would be an idea to flush the system out and put some inhibitor in the system.