Radiator not centred between pipes

[budest]

Hi all,

As the title says, here a radiator that was replaced but obviously it wasn't as wide as the last one and the plumber added what looks like a small piece of chrome pipe between the thermostatic valve and radiator, is that what it is? I want to centre it whilst I have it off for painting so is it just a case adding a piece of pipe to the left side? Do I need to use olives? PS: What are the earthing wires for?

Thanks in advance

 

[budest]

Maybe I should have Googled beforehand. Not chrome piping but "valve tails". And copper pipes are earthed (or is it "bonded"?) to metal radiators to prevent shocks. Would I need a "radiator union" or "compression valve tail"?

 

[ollski]

id put one back the right size but failing that equal sized extenders on each side.

 

[Gas2Air]

How much did you pay for that?

 

[budest]

How much did you pay for that?

Not mine I'm just doing a bit of painting. It's a council house.

 

[omega015]

Councils round here went mad years ago adding all that supplementary bonding to every single pipe they could get their hands on. If that TRV side pipe has any wobble/give I wonder how long before it leaks.

 

[budest]

Councils round here went mad years ago adding all that supplementary bonding to every single pipe they could get their hands on. If that TRV side pipe has any wobble/give I wonder how long before it leaks.

Yeah I'm on Screwfix now getting a new TRV for it as it looks unsightly. Is this what I need? http://www.screwfix.com/p/white-chrome-angled-trv-with-lockshield-15mm/31811

 

[omega015]

yeah that should be fine, the only issue is the tail length when aligning the radiator if your wanting it centre. Are you comfortable with removing a radiator though? i.e. closing off other radiators, draining the water out, undoing the nuts, taking it off the wall and refilling/pressurising the system and removing air etc...? If your not careful when undoing the valve nuts, you can bend the pipe and cause a leak.

EDIT: you should also use PTFE tape

 

[budest]

yeah that should be fine, the only issue is the tail length when aligning the radiator if your wanting it centre. Are you comfortable with removing a radiator though? i.e. draining the water out, undoing the nuts, taking it off the wall and refilling/pressurising the system and removing air etc...? Just be carful because if your not careful when undoing the valve nuts, you can bend the pipe and cause a leak.

Many thanks mate. Yeah I am comfortable enough doing that. I'm a competent type when it comes to stuff like that but I make sure and do my homework first so as to try and avoid any mishaps. When you say "pressurising the system" can you elaborate? FYI it's a gas heating system with a Baxi. It's not Combi.

 

[BigSnoopy01]

just measure the distance of the current tail on the right, divide it by 2 and get two tail extentions that size and refit. may have to alter the brackets. speak to council sparks about the bonding being reconnected.

 

[budest]

Thanks guys managed to get it all sorted. Just added a tail to the other side and centred the radiator.

 

[omega015]

Glad you got it all sorted.

 

[gas112]

one consideration your going to take it closer to pan just dont spread the legs to wide when having a sh#te

 

[budest]

one consideration your going to take it closer to pan just dont spread the legs to wide when having a sh#te

LOL