Replumbing for radiator

[Louisbean]

Hi all,

We're planning a bathroom renovation and have bought a new radiator to replace the one pictures.

It's an old style 2 column radiator, it's about 4cm shorter than the current one, and it's on legs. These would clash with the pipes if they were left as they are.

I'll get a plumber in but in advance I need to think about whether I need to make sure the floorboards are clear to be taken up, or whether there's a simple and small rearrangement of the pipes that won't necessitate taking them up.

You'll see that the pipes go into the next room to serve the living room radiator. I guess this means that the pipes have to stay pretty much in this shape?

Any advice welcome!

 

[oz-plumber]

If you're going to the expense of renovating your bathroom, I would allow in the budget to re-pipe the existing pipework.

If you leave the pipework the way it is, the bathroom will always look like it was never done properly.

Only my views

 

[Louisbean]

Hi Oz - yes I totally agree. I guess what I'm asking is whether you think that'll necessitate pulling up the floorboards? I'm guessing it will - and if so I need to pull up all the backing board.

 

[Louisbean]

Also how big a job is that and how much would you expect that to cost?

 

[oz-plumber]

I have no idea how much it will cost, but budget for say 10 hours, for a Plumber to do the alterations and fitting off of the new panel, plus materials.

Cutting up floor boards is no big deal, I assume you are going to waterproof and re-tile the floor

 

[AlexGas]

I need to make sure the floorboards are clear to be taken up, or whether there's a simple and small rearrangement of the pipes that won't necessitate taking them up.

Floorboards!? What about the tiles!?

 

[Louisbean]

Yes we are retiling. I am trying to decide whether to take the backing boards up - if I don't need to get At the floorboards I can leave the backing boards on as they're in good nick and o can retile straight back on to them. It sounds like the answer is that some floorboard work will be necessary, so I will take the backing boards off too.

 

[AlexGas]

Ideally, it should look like this:

And to do this you will need to go under the floor.
Hope it helps.

 

[Louisbean]

Hi Alex, yes that looks great. My one remaining question then is how this then gets threaded through to the next room? Currently it happens under the centre of the radiator above the floor. Is that a bodge, and Should this happen below the floor? It's a masonry wall - and I'm wondering if that's why it's been done like that?

 

[AlexGas]

Hi Alex, yes that looks great. My one remaining question then is how this then gets threaded through to the next room? Currently it happens under the centre of the radiator above the floor. Is that a bodge, and Should this happen below the floor? It's a masonry wall - and I'm wondering if that's why it's been done like that?

If you like, the pipework could go into the wall. Your plumber will have a solution for you, don’t worry. If there’s a need, your plumber will go under the floor or into the wall to rearrange the pipework. You just need to tell him how you want it. It’s your call. What you have right now is not a bodge. But things do change with time and some might see your existing design is not acceptable.
Also, I hope your column radiator is skinny enough, cos you might end up with not much space between the rad and the bath.