Which Size Towel Radiator Do I Use?

[AndyKnight]

I have a small bathroom radiator which is on its last legs and I would like to replace it with a towel radiator.

The bathroom floor is tiled with the radiator pipes coming up through th efloor and tiles.

I have measured the distance between the pipes which is 550mm. The pipes are copper 15mm therefore I assume this means pipe centre is 565mm?

So now the dilema. The towel radiators I have to choose between have pipe centres of 550mm and 560mm. Which one should I go for?

From my figures above it would suggest that whichever version I choose the pipes will be slightly too far apart for the radiator and seeing as the floor is tiled and grouted I'm not sure whether I will be able to manipulate the pipes any.

If I go for the radiator which has pipe centre of 560mm do you think I would be able to persuade it to fit to my copper pipes which have the 565mm pipe centre?

If not then how would I go about making it fit?

Many thanks

Andy

 

[seco services]

you should be able to get 2.5mm movement on each pipe.

 

[AndyKnight]

Is my pipe centre calculation correct then? I assume pipe centre means the distance between the centre of each copper pipe coming up from the floor?

Should I be persuading the 2.5mm difference by just applying pressure or maybe with a rubber mallet?

Thanks

 

[seco services]

no not a rubber mallet, you'll kink them at the tile level then you'll be having the floor up.

sometimes removing the grout from around the pipe can give you enough play in the pipes.
then re grout it when towel rail fitted or fit two pipe shrouds.

how long are the pipes out of the floor to the towel rail ?

 

[AndyKnight]

That's a good idea to remove the grout!

From tile to the bottom of the existing rad valves is 125mm. I'm planning on ordering a couple of in line manual valves to replca the standard valves.

 

[seco services]

try the grout you'll probably find that'll give you enough movement if not you can slightly lever each one to give you 2.5mm movement.

but don't get heavy handed or you'll kink them.

inline valves will be fine.