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I've to change a radiator (read that as been ordered to :-)) and need to to drain the central heating. It would appear that none of the downstairs radiators have a drain valve...
So before I flood the house, any tips\techniques how to drain the system?? I plan on fitting a valve with a drain valve for future use...
Ta.
If you shut off both of the radiator values them you will trap all the water in the system. When you remove one of the taps from the radiator not the pipes you will only have to catch and collect all the water in the rad. Once rad is empty remove and them find the correct screw connection to fit on rad tap attach short length of copper tube and hose to drain down full system. If you have a trv fitted unscrew the cap and fit a 5p under it to make sure it is completely shut off.
Whatever you do, once you've drained that rad, DON'T lift it off the bracket and tilt it, a pint or two of filthy black sludge will burst out and ruin the carpet. You've already done it.....? Ah, too bad.
Anyway turn the rad upside down as soon as possible to trap the sludge in the top, having closed the bleed screw of course.
Don't throw the old rad in the skip, take it to the local scrappie and you'll get the price of a couple of beers for it.
Globalti - nice tip re scrappie
Bigsurfer - sounds like it's possible to change a radiator without draining system?
This is in the bathroom so no ruining the carpet for me 🙂
Removed a few rads as follows before now without any spillages -
Loosen the rad valves just enough so they don't leak, a towel under each side is a god bet. Lift the rad off the brackets, a 2 person job, and tilt the top down to the floor. Be careful NOT to bend the pipes. Now undo the valves one at a time covering the end with a rag as you do. Stand rad upright keeping the rags in place and move to where ever you want to empty it.
carlos +1.
Just make sure you have got enough slack in the pipes to lift off the brackets.
Don,t go forcing owt as you might crack the soldered elbow beneath your floor...
okay the pro's view.. easy job IF the rad you are replacing isthe same length or slightly longer than the new rad. close the valves at each end of the rad. undo the nut on one valve a 'flat or two water will dribble out cathc it in a tray or sommat. when the dribble slows open the air vent and more will come out keep loosening till water all gone.. do not rush this wait till its all gone.
when rad empty undo from both rad valves tip upside down and take out the tails from the valve via the extrenal flats or the internal hex. if your new rad is exaclty the same size .. praise the lord a miracle.. if slightly shorter ie up to 10cm mac fit spacers and refit tails
measure hieght of centres of valves on pipework measure distance on rad of center of hole to base of lower support draw a line at that hieght from floor
pout rad agiasnt wall where it will be mounted and mark where the supports will go
draw a vertical line from that mark to the horizontal line you measured, thats where brakect will go with notch in bracket on the horizontal line.. mark two holes drill plug and screw the thing to wall
take the other braket with a spirit level put it where the other mark is for theother bracket level it with the level mark drill plug etc and bingo
its on the wall
the tails need to be wrapped in about 3 layers of pyfe before fiiting to the rad hole which should be smeared with boss white first assembel and bingo
frankly if you have the tools its a ten miunte job and right first time if not.. the carpet WILL get wet.. good luck