Replacing radiator with towel rail - draining

[rbecking]

Our radiator in bathroom been leaking, we had it isolated for a while, want to replace it with towel rail, I purchased one with same pipe centres so should be straight forward and new straight valves. Do I have to drain whole system? If so I can't find a drain cock anywhere, is there an alternative?[/b]

 

[versatile75]

Is it a house or flat, a rad with a drain off would serve
your purpose there should be one for servicing purposes,
If the bathrooms located upstairs you need not drain
the whole system, but its worth doing this while your
at it, Fernox protector from Screwfix cost £29.99.

 

[rbecking]

Is it a house or flat, a rad with a drain off would serve
your purpose there should be one for servicing purposes,
If the bathrooms located upstairs you need not drain
the whole system, but its worth doing this while your
at it, Fernox protector from Screwfix cost £29.99.

It's 3 bed house, bathroom upstairs. Sealed combi system None of the radiators have drain valves.

So if don't have to drain system should only little water leak when take off valves at bathroom?

 

[versatile75]

Ok make sure power to boiler is off, shut off
all rads {both valves} upstairs to prevent gravity
feeding the bathroom rad, use a shallow tray or
simular, depending on height of rad off skirting,
undo one rad union nut slightly and open rad air bleed to drain.
Who services your boiler? changing the system protector each
year is a must!! it can save you a fortune in the long run.

 

[Armo74]

I would be tempted to do a partial drain down just to be on the safe side. you can always take off the most convenient rad down stairs and attach a washing machine hose and makeshift drain off hose pipe. Or you could do a full drain down and replace one of your old locksheild valves with a new one which has a built in drain cock on it, perfect time to do it really