Radiator removal

[AllyRachel]

Hi could someone please give some advice? I have removed a bedroom radiator ready for plasterer. We turned the valves, drained the rad and removed it. But then I realised we have no pressure in the boiler and it won’t let me re-pressurise as I normally would with the valve on the boiler, it just doesn’t rise - and water comes out of the right radiator pipe. I’m definitely a plumbing novice. I know nothing so any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[muggles]

Cap off the valves then try again

 

[Mottie]

Sounds like the valve is not closing. Either try twisting it some more and if that doesn’t work you’ll need to replace the valve. You should be able to do that if you can remove a rad. Can you take the cap off the left one to fit to the right?

 

[Burnerman]

Don’t rely on a TRV closing fully, if it is one
John

 

[AllyRachel]

Not sure what TRV is sorry but the right valve is one of these that has the numbers on and the left side was just a small Plastic covering which was turning and turning so I took it off and turned the metal underneath. When I try to repressurise the boiler water comes from the right side so I’m guessing maybe it’s that one that is causing the problem??

 

[CBW]

Yes it will be this one causing the problem. What you need to do is what Andrew suggested and place some caps over the ends. Like these, but make sure you get rubber washers with them https://www.toolstation.com/brass-c...MI0dLfq6TH6wIVmu7tCh2DoQyHEAQYAiABEgKCNfD_BwE

 

[Mottie]

Don’t rely on a TRV closing fully, if it is one
John

I made that mistake years ago. Turned off TRV and removed the rad. A few days later it turned colder and the valve started leaking. I now save my TRV blanking caps and put them in my plumbing bits box but before that, I used to remove the head and unscrew the little screw a few turns before refitting it to make sure it sealed properly. When it was all done I put the screw back to it’s original position.

 

[AllyRachel]

Thank you all. It’s capped, boiler pressurised and hot water back on. Super grateful!

 

[Burnerman]

Well done!
On assembly time, do consider topping up the inhibitor that should be in the system.....prevents corrosion.
It could also be a good idea to flush the rad out with a hosepipe to get rid of the black crap that will sure to be inside.
John