Removing a radiator - advice please

Posted on 09/01/2017 19:34 by IanH

Thank you for all your tips and advice.

Anyway, took the radiator off today, after closing both valves. No real problem, just put old towels under to catch a few spills.

The thermostatic valve only has a 'frost' setting, not an 'off' setting.

Put the central heating on to check it and there was a dribble from the thermostatic valve - probably a cheap and nasty one.

So......decided to remove it and fit a capping fitting. Decided to use the 'Easy T method', unfastened the thermostatic valve, put my thumb over the pipe (which was like a geyser!) and had the capping fitting ready to put on.

Trouble was, the old brass olive appeared to be welded to the pipe, preventing me from putting on the capping fitting 

Refitted the thermostatic valve and accepted the dribble for a while. Have now turned the heating down so low that it would take an ice age for it to come on. We will just have to manage until the tiling is done and the new rad is fitted.

For the latter, I will need a freezing kit........or a good, cheap plumber!

Posted on 10/01/2017 13:43 by

I think that Ian intends fitting a new rad at some point but I agree if just for decorating. 

Posted on 10/01/2017 12:37 by KjellNN

I would just drain down, you only need to take it below the level of that radiator.

If you isolate all the rads first by closing all the valves, the fluid to drain will be minimised, and there will be less new inhibitor required.

Is it a combi or a regular boiler?  System or Megaflow type HW?

Posted on 10/01/2017 09:18 by JVB66

Ian  "Cheap" and "Good" as far as plumbers are concerned are on different planets especially this time of year

Posted on 10/01/2017 01:06 by DavidKlyne

I am not sure this is the time of year to be attempting to change elements of the central heating system. Removing a radiator to do some decorating is one thing but anything that requires new parts to the pipework is best left to warmer times of the year where it makes no difference if you have the heating on. It also allows you to drain the system down making any work far less risky. By all accounts we have an artic blast coming our way. You won't be the most popular person with Mrs H if she has no heating

David

Posted on 10/01/2017 18:53 by IanH

That's a good suggestion,KjellNN.

I assume that would leave all the radiators full and just empty the pipework?

I'm seriously considering draining, to avoid freezing the pipes and to enable the new radiator and valves (and associated changes to pipework) to be fitted and this could be a good compromise.

This would also enable me to fit a drain valve for future use, as the builder clearly didn't anticipate ever needing to drain the system.

The water in the radiator that I took off was really dirty so the full system (including radiators) could do with draining and flushing, but I might leave that for the summer.