Microbore twin entry rad

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

Hi,
I'm decorating my front room and want to remove the radiator so I can remove the paper from behind it. I note that the radiator is fed with two microbore pipes on the same side using a twin entry valve. I know that if i turn off both the valve and the return valve (under the cap) I can take the rad off (being carefull of the pipe inside), do what I need and put it back, but - do I really want to?

Having read else where that these type of fixtures are no longer made and can now cause problems in ageing systems, would I be better to get someone in to replace the rad entirely for a new one with modern fittings?

My concern here is can I do that with one rad or do I need to do it for all that come off that floors manifold?

Thanks,

Mike

Agile · 10 Sep 2012

Still summer so I would say try to take it off and replace yourself.

But those double entry valves are bad news and best replaced all through the house!

Tony

mysteryman · 10 Sep 2012

They are fine as long as they are not disturbed. On a twin panel rad, the flexible tail must be in place and well through into one of the panels. Don't attempt this yourself unless you are completely sure of what you are doing. It is best not to disturb a satisfactory heating system in this way.

Just paint where you can and where it shows.

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

Thanks guys, but two opposing views makes it tricky to decide. SHMBO is saying that she won't tollorate a less than perfect job in this room as she's waited for it for so long so i'm at minimum going to have to remove it to strip the paper. I'm happy doing the work myself if it is a straight forward seal>remove>reassemble job, but is it worth considering replacing it anyway as i'm tinkering and can I (I say I but mean plumber this time) actually do that without compromising the rest of the system?

Agile · 10 Sep 2012

I think that most of those two pipe rad valves had a plastic pipe to take the flow well into the rad.

If I was removing a rad then I would aim to remove the pipes and leave the valve on the rad.

Tony

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

I see what you're saying, I presume that's in an effort not to disturb the 'inner workings' of the microbore fittings. It would mean draining the entire system (hasn't been done for a few years now anyway) as this is a ground floor rad.

Is it worth considering replaing the radiator and fittings?
Can I replace the radiator and fittings?

kirkgas · 10 Sep 2012

it is possible to renew the pipes into the rad and use the old rad, only you can tell the age/condition of the rad and whether its worthwhile, possibly better to repipe with a TRV at one side for better control, if you have wooden floors it looks better to lift the floor and spilt the pipe under there, if concrete or laminate is down you can repipe it along the top of the skirting or put it in trunking, whatever you think looks neater

mysteryman · 10 Sep 2012

The internal pipe for twin rads was a flexible copper pipe. This will almost certainly fall apart or fail in some way if you disturb it, and the radiator will not heat up if it is not reinstated correctly. You will need to budget in some contingency allowance for this if the customer wishes to have the rads removed and replaced.

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

Ok, another vote in each camp.

If I get my plumber to replace just this one radiator with a TRV at one end and extend the return to the other end (thankfully I have floor boards and not concrete or laminate) will it be ok or will I have to do the other rads on this manifold?

mysteryman · 10 Sep 2012

You can change just the one.

I was not suggesting that you cannot do what you want. It is just that there are possible problems, and you may be dealing with equipment already about forty years old. The inner pipe is the flow.

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

Thank you for the confirmation that any individual rad can be changed without compromising the rest of the system.

I take your point that these units are fragile and no longer stocked so it is entirly possible to damage it beyond repair by performing what would otherwise be a standard procedure.

I may get a local plumber to quote for the replacement of the rad to see if SWMBO wants it painted behind that much.

ianmcd · 10 Sep 2012

I deal with your radiator system a lot , easiest way is to fit a TRV at one end and run the return to a Lockshield valve behind the radiator to the other end saves lifting floors etc would recommend changing any radiator that had twin entry valves though as they will be full of crap

renMike · 10 Sep 2012

Thanks,
It sounds like if I *realy* need to remove the rad then i'm best off planning to replace it due to the anticipated failure of the current valve.
I'll get a quote from a local trusted plumber to see if I *realy* need to move it.

ianmcd · 10 Sep 2012

would be the best result Mike if it is a twin entry will be very inefficient and you will get a far better heat transfer from a modern rad with proper rad valves bet if you change it you will budget for changing all the rooms

Charnwood · 12 Sep 2012

Agile said:
I think that most of those two pipe rad valves had a plastic pipe to take the flow well into the rad.

mysteryman said:
The internal pipe for twin rads was a flexible copper pipe.

When I was a lad and REALLY a counterboy most installers had a roll of white plastic pipe they used for this. The Yorkshire F1 flexible tube was the 'correct' item for the job.

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Microbore twin entry rad

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