What's the easiest way to cap off some pipes?

Lamentable · 15 Mar 2021

I will be moving a radiator in the near future but for now I just need to remove the current one and cut back the pipes a foot or so to enable some other work.

The radiator is staying on the same wall, but I'm insulating the wall so it will need to move back from its current position into the room by around 100-120mm or so.

Would anyone be able to let me know the easiest and most cost effective way to cap off the current pipework so I can start the insulation before putting the radiator back up in it's current position? Also what tools would I need?

I think I will need to do the following:

1. Drain down the system at least below the level of this first floor radiator. This I know how to do.

2. Somehow cut the existing pipes back. I've seen sort of "circular" cutters you can get that you rotate around the pipe?

3. Fit some sort of isolation valves that I can reconnect new pipe too in the future. Could I use a compression fitting?

This is my first time doing this type of DIY so grateful for any help or ideas anyone can think of.

Thanks in advance.

terryplumb · 15 Mar 2021

Are the pipes copper ? Drain down,cut pipes and fit push fit stop ends. When ready to extend pipework ,drain down, remove stop ends and ammend pipework using soldered fittings.

Lamentable · 15 Mar 2021

Hi yes I should have mentioned they are copper pipes. Thanks.

Lamentable · 22 Mar 2021

What I ended up doing if anyone else is interested:

Getting one of those circular pipe cutters and 2 x 15mm push fit stop ends.

ianmcd · 22 Mar 2021

personally I would never use push fit stop ends as a permanent fitting

Lamentable · 22 Mar 2021

Hi Ian, this won't be permanent. I just need to move the pipes back temporarily. Then I will remake them to the new radiator position using chrome pipe.

ianmcd · 22 Mar 2021

Lamentable said:
Hi Ian, this won't be permanent. I just need to move the pipes back temporarily. Then I will remake them to the new radiator position using chrome pipe.

dont use push fit on chrome pipe when you are making the permanent alteration

Lamentable · 22 Mar 2021

Hi Ian, thanks again. Yes I had read this and intend to use compression fittings at that time.

Lamentable · 26 Apr 2021

Just to report back on how this went for others that are interested in doing the same thing.

Summary: The job was very easy. I spent longer discussing it on here that it took to do it.

Drained the system down a bit as this was on the 1st floor. A few turns with the pipe cutter. Marked the pipe to see how deep the fitting should go on. Pushed it on and re-pressurised the system.

Job done.

Thanks again.

Mottie · 26 Apr 2021

Lamentable said:
Hi Ian, this won't be permanent. I just need to move the pipes back temporarily. Then I will remake them to the new radiator position using chrome pipe.

I did that for my chrome bathroom towel rail. I only used chrome pipe going up to the rail. I used a 90° compression onto the copper pipe under the floor. On some of my other roads, I’ve used a chrome snap covering over the copper pipe from the floor to the valve.

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What's the easiest way to cap off some pipes?

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