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Discuss fitting a new radiator in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net

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i want to replace a radiator.when i drain down the heating system this particular one never empties. i can take the radiator off by turning off the valves. the pipes for this radiator are boxed in so i removed some of the boxing and found 2 inline drain valves but these are very corroded. i think these should be replaced but can i fit the type of rad valve with a fitted drain. also if the water is turned off to the header tank will this stop water from going to this radiator , or is it fed from a different source ?. i think the inline valves would drain the rad but i'm very wary of trying to turn them
 
If I was you, and I have 40 years at this game. I would wait
until end of March when it all gets warmer, if you can. I dont understand ..in line drain off valves ...putba piccy up. zThe
little tank in ur roof ...F&E if you can turn the valve atbthe bottom off is the one to go for BUT I would just tie up,the ball valve its easier ....This is certainly a diy job and show us a piccy or more & ask any questions u like

let us know how you get on

Rob Foster



aka centralheatking


me
 
pics i took this morning. please advise, thanks

phone 005.jpg


phone 006.jpg


phone 007.jpg


phone 008.jpg


phone 009.jpg
 
That radiator valve looks pretty recent.

Tbh I would cut back and repipe.
only one problem, i don't think pipe cutters will fit behind the pipework, it is quite tight to the wall. i fitted new rad valves about 2 months ago. do the 2 drain valves drain this rad ?. hope you can help.
 
1. That's likely to be one drain valve on the flow from the boiler and one on the return to the boiler. As stated by SimonG, opening either one will drain everything in the system above the valve. Opening both will drain it all quicker.
2. They are quite likely to be the only drain valves on the system.
3. Why not drain down the whole system, then close both radiator valves, and the only residual water you should have left is any in the pipes from the radiator to the drain off valves. Should be none, but you never know! Slacken off connections slowly, ready to re-tighten if any leaks. Plenty of old towels over the carpet.
4. With valves closed, remove radiator. Disconnect at pipes, not where radiator valves go into radiator.
5. Swap valves or put new ones on new radiator.
6. Install new radiator, connect and re-fill system. When you are sure there are no leaks, shut off feed to small tank in loft, drain until small tank is empty, drain another two buckets full, add inhibitor (e.g. Sentinel X100) and re-fill.

Note that if your new radiator has pipe centres which are further off the wall than the existing pipe centres, you are going to have to modify the pipework. May not be easy with boxing in.

While it would be nice to replace the drain off valves, you might be able to unscrew the body and fit new ones, such as BES part number 6920 ( Drain Cock | Brassware | Plumbing Supplies | BES.co.uk ). If you do, clean off all that green stuff with a scouring pad or similar. It looks like flux residue, and while it has probably done all the corroding its going to, why take a risk?
 
1. That's likely to be one drain valve on the flow from the boiler and one on the return to the boiler. As stated by SimonG, opening either one will drain everything in the system above the valve. Opening both will drain it all quicker.
2. They are quite likely to be the only drain valves on the system.
3. Why not drain down the whole system, then close both radiator valves, and the only residual water you should have left is any in the pipes from the radiator to the drain off valves. Should be none, but you never know! Slacken off connections slowly, ready to re-tighten if any leaks. Plenty of old towels over the carpet.
4. With valves closed, remove radiator. Disconnect at pipes, not where radiator valves go into radiator.
5. Swap valves or put new ones on new radiator.
6. Install new radiator, connect and re-fill system. When you are sure there are no leaks, shut off feed to small tank in loft, drain until small tank is empty, drain another two buckets full, add inhibitor (e.g. Sentinel X100) and re-fill.

Note that if your new radiator has pipe centres which are further off the wall than the existing pipe centres, you are going to have to modify the pipework. May not be easy with boxing in.

While it would be nice to replace the drain off valves, you might be able to unscrew the body and fit new ones, such as BES part number 6920 ( Drain Cock | Brassware | Plumbing Supplies | BES.co.uk ). If you do, clean off all that green stuff with a scouring pad or similar. It looks like flux residue, and while it has probably done all the corroding its going to, why take a risk?
thanks for all that info, i do have another drain valve fitted to the kitchen rad which i have always used [didn/t realise there was another one !! ] anyway, cheers for that
 

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