Quick question about removing a radiator

[blun]

Hi,

I need to permenantly remove one radiator, and there will be a kitchen unit going over where the pipes currently come out of the floor.

How do I remove the radiator and cap off the remaining pipes? Do I have to drain the whole central heating system so I don't get water everywhere?

Thanks!

 

[Mike2007]

If your valves are still able to turn right down to closed and your pipework is maybe not on fragile microbore, you can.
Turn the valves to OFF, clockwise.
If you don't have a little drain cock, you will have to crack the valve tails(into rad) open and drain into big bowl.
Leave rad bleed closed until you are sure you are not emptying the whole system!
If it just dribbles to a stop, open the rad bleed nipple at the top, drop it all out.
You can cap-off with 1/2inch metal caps, carefull if microbore not to bend/kink!

 

[blun]

Won't there still be pressure in the system which would come out when I actually remove the radiator but before I can put the caps on?

 

[Mike2007]

Won't there still be pressure in the system which would come out when I actually remove the radiator but before I can put the caps on?

Should'nt matter if you have a sealed pressured system or gravity as long as your valves seal on their seats, blocking water.
It does work, I do it regularly.
If you can find the drain cock (should be lowest point)on the whole system you might has well put a hose pipe on it and drain the water there.
If you have a little tank in the loft, you have to isolate the water going into that first though.
When its capped off you will feel more confident!

 

[blun]

Thanks for the help. Its a combi boiler which is upstairs in the airing cupboard, and the radiator I'm removing is in the kitchen - if that makes any difference?

 

[Mike2007]

Just shut it down on the valves. Unless your system is in a really old and decrepid way you should be fine