Odd issue radiator in front of washing machine

[Bluedog22]

My daughter just bought her first house, the people leaving really wanted her to buy the washing machine, she didn’t want it but we need one so we paid her for it.
Problem is I think I know why she was so keen for us to buy it. We can’t get the thing out. Only way I can see is drain the whole system remove the connections at the bottom which looks like 10mm pipe and remove the entire radiator. Just hoping there is enough movement in the copper pipe. There must be I think otherwise how would they get it in?
Anyway any ideas for an easier way?

 

[jj4091]

Get a couple of strong people to lift it over the radiator. Worst case scenario would be to turn off the TRV and the other valve then just drain the radiator not the whople system. you may need to re-pressurise once you have refitted it though.

 

[dilalio]

I've had this before.
Gonna have to remove the rad and see what wiggle room you have.

 

[thomp1983]

What's next to the washing machine?

 

[Jurassicspark]

If it's hard to remove whatever is next to it then the best approach would be to drain the rad down, remove it and try it from there.

 

[foxhole]

Have never had a rad in a kitchen , do you actually need it?

 

[Bluedog22]

What's next to the washing machine?

Kitchen cupboard ‘end plate’ I’ve loosened it but it’s shaped to go over the flooring so it won’t come out.
I’d saw it somehow because it’s rotten in the corner anyway and fix it so it would slide out next time we need the machine out but can’t do that untill the washing machine is out. I have no room to get at it

 

[Bluedog22]

Have never had a rad in a kitchen , do you actually need it?

Hmm great question I’ll ask her see is she wants it,

 

[foxhole]

Hmm great question I’ll ask her see is she wants it,

If you keep you could swop for narrow tall rads so it’s no longer an obstruction .

 

[ChrisJP]

Get a couple of strong people to lift it over the radiator. Worst case scenario would be to turn off the TRV and the other valve then just drain the radiator not the whople system. you may need to re-pressurise once you have refitted it though.

I don't think there is enough space between washing machine and radiator for lifting the machine - it won't clear the worktop.
If left there it's also going to be a problem if the machine needs any repairs or attention - you can't get to the back of it.
Only long term solution is to move the radiator.

 

[jj4091]

Hmm great question I’ll ask her see is she wants it,

If you decide to just remove the radiator and not refit it make sure you get the pipes capped off and don't rely on the valves to isolate the water as the TRV may open if the temp drops too low even if it is switched off.

 

[Madrab]

Shut off the valves - drain the rad and then remove it. Washing machine should pass the lockshield valve that's left.

 

[Bluedog22]

Yeah that’s what I did. I also removed the end cap on the cupboard to the right it was very thick and very rotten. The new washing machine should slip in now without moving the radiator again I think and I don’t think it will look bad. The kitchen will be replaced any way at some point
It’s not a huge job taking it off but I could do without the hassle/

Thanks for the help all.

 

[dilalio]

Yeah that’s what I did. I also removed the end cap on the cupboard to the right it was very thick and very rotten. The new washing machine should slip in now without moving the radiator again I think and I don’t think it will look bad. The kitchen will be replaced any way at some point
It’s not a huge job taking it off but I could do without the hassle/

Thanks for the help all.

Your photo didn't show what was to the right of the machine. If it's an empty space with just an end panel holding up the worktop, then no reason to remove the rad!
A couple of photos showing the whole situation would have been better.

 

[Bluedog22]

Your photo didn't show what was to the right of the machine. If it's an empty space with just an end panel holding up the worktop, then no reason to remove the rad!
A couple of photos showing the whole situation would have been better.

I understand but the end plate couldn’t come out until the washer did. I actually cut all along the bottom with a multi tool (because it was shaped to sit below the flooring, removed all the screws I could find and it wouldn’t budge. One reason was it was busted right up against the machine, there were water pipes running though drilled holes that I couldn’t see because of the back of the cupboard and screws at the back that were inaccessible .

I did everything I could to avoid removing the rad first. Don’t know why I bothered it was an easy job, my main concern was its a combi boiler and I’ve never done anything on them before. The filling loop looked different to videos ( appears to have none return valves or something) anyway it was easy job in the end
Thanks for everybody’s advice
She now wants a bunch of spurs and extra sockets. I thought I was done with diy