How do you remove a radiator ?

Question

hi, i have to remove a radiator to wall paper behind it,is there a plumber out there who can give me some good advice please?

Answer 1

Secure the water source and be sure to take care when removing the threaded pieces. Be prepared for the water that drains out.  If your system has a drain somewhere lower, it may be possible to do it there and not at the radiator. Does it have a vent on top? You will need to loosen that later to allow the water to refill it. Otherwise, you can end up with air trapped in the radiator and you'll not have any heat from it. You may want to get some thread tape when you reinstall it.

If there is any clearance at all behind the radiator, see if you can put wall paper there before tackling this. I'm sure you have looked at it but look again with the idea that you might be able to slip the paper down and press it in place using a piece of lathe or other thin board or plastic.

Answer 2

Turn off the water to the header tank or tie the ball valve up - see why later.

Get a dish and some kitchen foil. Wrap foil round pipe to divert water into dish.

Turn off BOTH the 'lockshield' and the control valves.

Loosen the nut between the radiator and the valve NOT the one between the valve and the supply pipes.

Water should run into the dish. Open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator to let air in as required.

Finally remove the nuts completely and you should be able to lift the radiator off the support brackets. KEEP THE WATER IN THE DISH IT SHOULD CONTAIN THE WATER TREATMENT ADDITIVE WHICH STOPS CORROSION.

When finished ensure mating surfaces are clean - wire wool or similar and put radiator back into position. Tighten nuts.

Put water from dish into header tank and turn radiator valves on to flood it.

Finally release tied back ball valve.

This way keeps the water treatment at original strength.

If the water from the radiator is brown and turbid rather than clear you have no anti corrosion treatment in the system. Go to a store and get cleaner and treatment to really finish the job off. If it's really mucky it won't clean out and will require purging with a pump. You will not have the gear to do this so think if you want it done sometime.

RoyS

Answer 3

You have to switch off your water supply and then drain your radiator.  There is a valve that lets you do this.  Then you can detach it and lift it off the brackets.  My friend always does this (female) and she showed me how to do it.

Answer 4

Turn the valves on either side of it off.

Slacken the nuts on each side using a large adjustable spanner. You may need a second spanner to stop the valve turning. Make sure its on the radiator side of the valve.

You now have 2 options:

1. Drain the radiator into a suitable container. Use a bleed key to let air into the top of the radiator as the water exits the bottom. Then fully undo nuts, pop pipes out of each end of radiator, lift off wall. paper behind. refit and open valves to refill with water while venting air out the top with bleed key.  If you have a pressurised system, follow system instructions. You might need some PTFE tape on the threads to prevent any leaks.

2. Only slacken nuts at each end of radiator, lift off wall if space allows, and still connected to pipes, lie on floor, hand tighten nuts to prevent leakage. paper behind, place back on wall, tighten nuts,  open valves, check for leaks.

Be sure to turn boiler / pump etc off whilst doing this and ensure water is cold.

Other alternative is not to paper behind radiator...

Answer 5

I am not a plumber but i think you have to turn off your boiler drain the system then it will be safe to remove it but that's about as much as i can tell you.

c

Answer 6

Turn the valve at each end of the radiator tightly to the off position. Then undo the large union nut that connects the valve to the radiator. When you do this the water in the radiator will start to leak out so be prepared as it will be a horrible black and messy mixture. Have waterproof sheet down as well as a bowl to collect this water. The rad will empty and to assist it just tilt it a little. When you think it is empty lift it off it's brackets, this is quite easy though larger radiators are quite heavy. At this point be very careful as there is a small amount of the "water" still in there and you could easily spill it. One other small point, if when you undo the union nut water comes out under pressure then it could mean that the valves have not shut off 100% and this could be a problem as some valves are not that well seated. Best of luck.

Answer 7

Never wrestle with a pig: you both get all dirty, and the pig likes it.

Well you asked for advice