Removing radiator

[mobily]

Hi all

I am in the pocess of removing my radiators downstairs and wondered whether I should remove one, clean then replace and refill and then move on to the next one or do them all at the same time?

Also when I have removed a radiator should I turn the valves on and let the water run out until it is clear so that I am sure the pipes are clean as well?

Many thanks

 

[Space cat]

If you intend to remove them all, you can save yourself a load of time and trouble by shutting the valves of the upstairs radiators then draining the whole system. Give the upper pipework time to drain (flow rate drops rapidly) then open the bleed valves on the downstairs radiators.

As you remove each one, be ready for some foul, black sludge that always seems to come out of the bottom of a radiator. It'll stain anything it touches and it's very difficult to clean up. I always stuff some old dishcloth into each open end as the valves come off. Then, once the thing is off the wall, I unplug one end and tip the sludge into a bucket. Close the bleed valve in case you forget later.

Idea! If you're going to make a habit of taking radiators off walls - and if you have the pipework drained anyway - think about fitting in-line stop valves directly below the radiator valves. These will allow you to take a radiator off without draining it - and no straining the pipes sideways either.

 

[mobily]

Thanks for the reply.

I am thinking a full drain down might be the best method as I could then clean the boiler buddy at the same time.

If I were to drain as you suggested why would I close the valves of the upstairs radiators?

Many thanks,

James

 

[joe-90]

Why don't you hire a power flush machine for a hire shop? Removing rads is a dirty business and they are heavier than they look.

 

[Space cat]

If I were to drain as you suggested why would I close the valves of the upstairs radiators?

Because you aren't removing them. When you put new water into the system, there's a lot of dissolved air in it. The heat will eventually drive this out but, while that's happening, you have to keep bleeding your radiators. Also, the dissolved oxygen and CO2 cause corrosion. (We did this experiment in the school chemistry lab with nails left in fresh water and boiled water. The boiled water was allowed to cool in a closed contained and those nails hardly rusted at all. )

The less water you have to replace, the less new air you will introduce when you refill. This is another benefit of adding extra valves. You could remove and replace a radiator with virtually no water loss.

 

[mobily]

ah, I see!

I am looking to drain the system down and remove the downstairs radiators this weekend. Will I need to get some inhibitor to add to the system when I refill?