Draining rads when you've lost the drain valve?

[jat147]

Sounds a bit stupid I know......

A plumber 'mate' changed a radiator for me a year or two ago - the very rad that had the drain valve on it.
I've only just realised recently (now i want to drain the system) that he must have moved the drain valve to a position that is now underneath the floor boards. Not a big problem, except that since then we've laid a really nice wooden floor over the old one, and fitted skirting over that floor, and decorated aswell!!

Is there anyway I could drain the system easily without lifting the floor?
Any ideas gratefully received.

 

[wiggikins]

Some merchants now sell self cutting d. o. c,s.



Keith.

 

[TicklyT]

You could break the connection between a rad valve and a rad.
Turn both valves off, and there will be a radiator full of water to catch when you crack the joint (Cue the old towels, dustpan, empty takewaway containers etc.).

With luck, you can spring the pipe clear of the rad, or you could remove the rad. and fit your drain hose to the rad. valve.

Before re-assembling, replace the lockshield valve with something like this:-
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?id=11074&ts=75990

I'm not a fan of self-cutting valves - Will it seal onto the pipe, and where will that little disc of copper it punches out end up?

 

[wiggikins]

Self cutting d o c for convenience, on comp of draindown install a type A
d o c in place of self cutter ,less hassle in the end.