Refitting rads after plastering....

[theflyingpig]

Hi all, not sure if this should be in plumbing forum or plastering...
I'm putting in some new radiators and in order to get feed/return to them have had to remove some sections of plasterboard from lower walls.... Not a problem as it'll all be plastered... But, how do you relocate rad brackets after skimming? In the past I've left screws in the wall but the plasterer as invariably not finished around the screw as flat as the brackets would like.....
Is there another way? Just measure and take a photo I suppose? Or, is there a trick I don't know??

 

[CBW]

You could try measuring the bracket from the floor or skirting board and make a note or write the measurement on the bracket before removing.

 

[RandomGrinch]

...and some interesting ideas here :

Radiator brackets

Alright all. Was on a job today where customer took radiator off wall + wanted wall skimmed. Usually id take brackets off screw screws back into the rawl plugs right up to the nuts skim over then unscrew screw until heads just visible through 2nd coat. Trowel up to a finish take screws out...

www.plasterersforum.com

 

[ianmcd]

before you get the wall skimmed mark the existing wall with all the measurements you require and take a few pic with your phone an make a mark in pencil on the floor exactly where the brackets go

 

[Wayners]

lay the radiator face down on the floor. Hook on the brackets. Make a template with something like correx board as it's cheap. Could use cardboard. Line up starting at where valves fit.
You will work it out.
Transfer template to wall
Put one screw in the bracket slots if they have some. Try rad. Can move rad up or down on the one screw in the bracket slot.
When your happy add more bracket screws.

It's fairly easy jobs tbh. I've done it many times.
Check valves haven't dropped If wooden floor. That makes it really easy If valves move up and down

 

[theflyingpig]

Thanks! Some great ideas.... I like the drinking straws one.... I'll ask plasterer what his plan is....

 

[Notch7]

Thanks! Some great ideas.... I like the drinking straws one.... I'll ask plasterer what his plan is....

Ask the plasterer to skim around the brackets - they love doing that

 

[Mottie]

In the past I've left screws in the wall but the plasterer as invariably not finished around the screw as flat as the brackets would like.....

Get him to do the best he can with a screw in, then remove the screw to finish off then pop the screw back in. Should be easy to find the hole with wet plaster not drying in a hole as quick as the rest of it.

Edit: Just re read your post and I see you are fitting new rads. I'm assuming they may not be the same size as those removed. When I did it, I balanced the new rad on some wood to get the height and position I wanted before sliding the brackets down the back of it and latching in place before marking the top/corner of bracket. Obviously with a stud wall you need to line the brackets up with the studs. When it was fitted, I then piped up to mine. I had to use longer rad tails as I was going from an old imperial sized rad to a slightly smaller (but finned) metric sized rad.

 

[Madrab]

I'm sorry but if the plasterer cant finish the plaster properly and level, just because there are 2 screws with a huge gap in between them then time to get a new plasterer.

Get clients to do it all the time without any problems or complaints from the plasterer.

 

[ianmcd]

I'm putting in some new radiators

Just seen this part of the post that I totally missed and was pointed out by @Mottie just plaster the wall the old radiator brackets will never be the same as your new radiator

 

[Exedon]

Dead easy all that's need pencil and tape.
Hang bracket on rad measure from top of bracket to center of bottom run of rad,
Transfer that mesument from center of rad valve onto wall.
If pipework in solid floor do it both ends existing rads often not that level!

 

[ianmcd]

Dead easy all that's need pencil and tape.
Hang bracket on rad measure from top of bracket to center of bottom run of rad,
Transfer that mesument from center of rad valve onto wall.
If pipework in solid floor do it both ends existing rads often not that level!

Or as it is going to be a brand new rad with different brackets just start from scratch

 

[Madrab]

I'm putting in some new radiators

Just seen this part of the post that I totally missed and was pointed out by @Mottie just plaster the wall the old radiator brackets will never be the same as your new radiator

Ian

... so did I

 

[ianmcd]

... so did I

As Jack and Victor said a couple of ******s