Installing and lining up rads properly

[omph]

What's the best strategy to install a designer rad (although this is applicable to all radiator types) ? By that I mean getting the brackets installed correctly so that the rad sits on all 4 brackets instead of the top two or bottom two, whilst also ensuring the pipes line up and fit into their respective fittings. Share your game plan. I installed a vertical rad yesterday and it was only sitting on the top two brackets and was a bit too low for the pipes - very annoying.

 

[Exedon]

Measure twice drill bracket holes once.

 

[fourtytwo]

I have one in my house that is like a horizontal tower of pizza, IMOP either the installer was p*ssed or it's a clever devious method of combating sludge

 

[omph]

Measure twice drill bracket holes once.

What tools do you use to measure and mark the wall ? a measuring tape is not enough with vertical rads and drawing lines onto tiles is a problem too esp if they smudge or arent visible.

 

[fourtytwo]

I use a spirit level and suitable long piece of straight something as well. It helps if the pipes have a bit of give in them, I have one radiator where they are in a concrete floor and they are holding up the radiator (brackets to low), something on the long round tuit list!
Have you tried a felt tip on the tiles ? still smudges but easier to see.
Another problem I encountered is TRV bodies are often a different size to manual valves just to add to the fun.

 

[denso13]

and drawing lines onto tiles is a problem too esp if they smudge or arent visible.

Put some masking tape in the rough position and mark up on that. Some tiles seem to repel any pen/pencil markings.