Moving a radiator

Joined
1 Feb 2002
Messages
82
Reaction score
0
Location
Manchester
Country
United Kingdom
I'm doing some work on a party wall and want to take the radiator off temporarily. I'm not clear on how to do this as when I've tried to drain the system in the past, it just kept on running for hours, suggesting that I'd not stopped the flow into the boiler. It's an Ariston. Can anyone advise please?
 
I am not a plumber or heating engineer but from what you have said i ask you this. Did you tie up the balcock in the loft tank?
 
No feeder tank in the loft breezer, all mains fed. sorry should have said.
No tanks anywhere, just to clarify.
 
in that case how about turn the mains water off for the whole house?
You could run the pipes in to the new position first then connect to the existing pipework last thing
 
Can you not just shut the rad valves off? You might want to get a few old towels ready incase the valves pass a bit.
 
I agree with Andy V, close both radiator valves and partially unscrew valve connection one end to drain off radiator, then unscrew both ends fully and remove radiator. No need to turn water off, continue to use central heating
 
Thanks to you both for the advice. I didn't know that I could isolate one rad. I'll have a look at that.
 
I have several leaky rads that I need to work on. Some of my radiators have valves only on the body of the rad, not the adjoining pipe, however if I shut off all other rads this should stop the water flow (I guess just one would do it ???).

Also whats the stuff called that you can add to the system to prevent rust and general gunky buildup, and how do you add it to a mains sysyem such as the one supplied?
 
Hi 07
If you cannot isolate a radiator with a valve at each end,then you will have to drain the system, then you can block the end with a blanking plug or end plug. or fit a lockshield valve in order to adjust the flow through the radiator in future :roll: :roll:
 
Ok, let me push my luck a bit further. Say I want to at least replace the olive whatsits, maybe even the two valves. I have a mains pressured combi system with as far as I can see no tank in the loft as with a conventional system. So, first question, is how do I drain / refill the system? At my old house I tied up the ballcock in the tank, fitted a hose to the drain plug on the lowest rad and it was easy. If I shut off the cold supply to the tank, will that stop the heating system refilling or just shut off the water supply. Next question, I dont seem to have a dedicated draining point. All of my downstairs rad valves look like this

Rad-down.JPG


...is that the little drain tap between the valve body and the rad?
 
Thanks for that Breezer - I've already asked how, not really sure how else to phrase the question..... :D
 
turn off your mains water and hunt for a drain off valve...it could be anywhere in the pipework not just the rads but it will be on your lowest point, although it wouldn't be the first system I've seen with no drain off!.You can open the bleed screw on the lowest rad stick a bucket under it and drain it then undo the valves again with a bucket under until the system is drained (loosen slightly to drain the nip tight again whilst you empty your bucket!).If I were you when it's empty I'd fit some drain off valves.
Don't know what make your combi is but if its modern when you repressureize the system to about 1.5 bar with the filling loop it will relight.Then you just bleed your rads and repressurize as you need!
 
I removed a radiator at the weekend without draining the system and only got slightly soaked. A friend told me afterwards though that you can freeze the pipes with a spray (lasts about 45 mins) while you work on it.
 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top