Remove radiator can't pull valve off

[flutterbye]

I'm trying to remove a radiator but both the TRV and lockshield valves are proving almost impossible to pull away from the rad so that I can lift it off. The flow and return pipes rise up vertically and connect to standard right-anled valves into both sides of the bottom of the radiator.The valves are higher than the skirting board (perhap 10 or 15 cm) but there just doesn't seem enough play in the pipe to move the valve off the rad once its been uncrewed. I don't want to force it for fear of damaging the pipe where it joins the flow/return below the floorboard.

Should I use a tool like a screwdriver to lever it off? Otherwise I guess I'd need to drain down to lift the valves off the pipe?

 

[ChrisOxford]

Otherwise I guess I'd need to drain down to lift the valves off the pipe?

That's what I'd do.

A pain, but I bet that's the only way it's going to come off without risk of damaging anything.

 

[TicklyT]

You may be able to 'encourage' the rad. to slide sideways a fraction on it's brackets to free one end, then back the other way to free t'other.

Loosening the valves on the pipes a fraction may allow them to turn to clear the tails without letting too much water escape - maybe no more than an old towel wrapped around the pipe will soak up. Nip up the joint again once the valve is free of the tail.