Radiators Southampton

There are several reasons why you might need to remove or replace a radiator. You might need to drain it of the sludge build-up inside, or perhaps decorate behind it. Removing and replacing a radiator will probably be a messy job, but it doesn't need to be a difficult one and it doesn't mean you have to drain the whole system. Turn the heating off before you start, and allow it to cool completely.

Removing the Radiator

As mentioned above, this is likely to be a messy task, so the first thing you need to do is prepare for that mess. Lay polythene sheets below and around the radiator and place old towels directly under the valves. You will also need a couple of bowls to catch any leaking water, so find some which fit underneath the radiator and valves.

Shut off the Control Valve (the knob that controls the temperature of the radiator) and then remove the plastic cover from the Gateshield Valve (the valve at the opposite end of the rad to the control valve). This will reveal a small square nut which needs to be tightened using a pair of pliers or a small spanner. Count the number of turns it takes to close the gateshield valve and write the number down. Slide your bowl under the control valve and use a adjustable spanner to undo the Union Nut (the nut connecting the radiator to the valve). Water will then drain out of the radiator, so make sure your bowl is in place. If you are using a small bowl, it might be worth having another on hand in case the first fills up. You can open the air vent at the top of the radiator to speed up the flow of water if needed.

When the water stops flowing, move to the opposite end of the radiator and place another bowl under the gateshield valve. Undo the union nut between the radiator and the gateshield valve and be prepared for some more water to leak out. When all the water has stopped leaking out, plug both ends of the radiator with some absorbent paper or cloth. You can now carefully lift the radiator off of its brackets and move it outside. Prop the radiator up against a wall, with one end raised higher than the other, and remove the paper plug from the low end. This will allow any built up sludge inside the radiator to slowly leak out. Very new radiators probably won't need this.

Replacing the Radiator

With the radiator plugged at both ends with absorbent paper or cloth, carry it back into position and lift it onto the wall brackets. Remove the plugs and reconnect the union nuts to the control valve and the gateshield valve. Make sure they are tightened properly, but be careful not to twist or bend the pipe as you do so.

Open both valves to let the radiator fill up, opening the lockshield valve by the same number of turns it took to close it. Open the air valve at the top of the radiator to let the air escape. As soon as water starts to dribble out of the air valve, shut it off tightly. Check for leaks around the air valve, control valve, gateshield valve and the union nuts. If any of them l...