New radiator valve too far to reach inlet

[Live&Learn]

Hi all.

I have just replaced an upstairs single wall radiator with a double wall radiator (for more heat) but I did not consider the inlets.

I do not have access to the pipes as they come out of the floorboards and are then covered with laminate. There is a little give but not enough to comfortably reach the valves without constant stress.

My ideas:
1-cut into the wall so that the brackets are deeper so the radiator is closer to the wall (I'm not sure if there will be enough plaster to cut out)
2-Get a radiator valve with a bend in it so it comes out, shaped like this:
https://cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalog/mpvc34x450.jpg
(I'm not sure if they exist)

Thanks.

 

[muggles]

A photo would help, but can the pipes not be cut back and altered to line up?

 

[Live&Learn]

A photo would help, but can the pipes not be cut back and altered to line up?

Thanks.

Pics attached.

How do I alter the pipe? Is it ok for me to just bend them using a pipe bender?

 

[ianmcd]

which way round did you fit the new brackets ? there are two ways, one takes the rad closer to the wall the other way round pushes the rad out slightly

 

[Live&Learn]

which way round did you fit the new brackets ? there are two ways, one takes the rad closer to the wall the other way round pushes the rad out slightly

Yeah, I did see that haha, I fitted it the short way. The other way will come out more.

 

[ianmcd]

Yeah, I did see that haha, I fitted it the short way. The other way will come out more.

yep but not everyone notices that is why i ask

 

[Mottie]

Chip/drill a little bit out of the floor to give more movement on the pipes maybe? Give the pipes a tug and put a small bend in them?

 

[sxturbo]

if they wont bend, likely you will have to cut the pipe and install 2x 45 degree elbows on each pipe to get the pipes where you need them

or if you have a pipe bender, bend an s shape how you need it and cut the pipes and use a straight joiner to connect the newly bent s shape

you could use 2x 90's (if there is room) but might look a bit crap.

 

[Live&Learn]

Chip/drill a little bit out of the floor to give more movement on the pipes maybe? Give the pipes a tug and put a small bend in them?

I've tried the first suggestion. I can't get any more because the movement is now blocked by the floorboards, and I don't want to attempt keyhole surgery in case I hit the pipe.

I'm happy to do the second suggestion if that is safe for the radiator pipe. Can you advise please?

 

[sxturbo]

I've tried the first suggestion. I can't get any more because the movement is now blocked by the floorboards, and I don't want to attempt keyhole surgery in case I hit the pipe.

I'm happy to do the second suggestion if that is safe for the radiator pipe. Can you advise please?

if you bend the pipe it wont line up to the rad as bending the pipe effectively makes the pipe shorter so you will have to lower the rad.

 

[Live&Learn]

if they wont bend, likely you will have to cut the pipe and install 2x 45 degree elbows on each pipe to get the pipes where you need them

or if you have a pipe bender, bend an s shape how you need it and cut the pipes and use a straight joiner to connect the newly bent s shape

you could use 2x 90's (if there is room) but might look a bit crap.

Can I buy a pipe bender and bend it in-situ?

 

[Live&Learn]

if you bend the pipe it wont line up to the rad as bending the pipe effectively makes the pipe shorter so you will have to lower the rad.

I haven't permanently drilled the bracket in. The bracket and its hangers are very forgiving, and the inlet pipe has some up/down movement so I am ok there too.

 

[sxturbo]

Can I buy a pipe bender and bend it in-situ?

there bulky so im not sure it will fit.

you can try bending it by hand, but be careful as the pipe may kink

 

[muggles]

You won't get a pipe bender in there. You'll need 2 × 45° elbows on each pipe as sxturbo suggests

 

[lostinthelight]

You could use street elbows if space is tight.