How to Move a Radiator Without Draining the Whole System

Moving a radiator is a common job but you don't necessarily need to drain the whole system to do it!

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[Lutonman]

Hi. I’m a heating engineer. I really enjoy your channel. If I could offer some advice for anyone attempting this. We would do this in a slightly different way. We always hang the rads and then pipe to them. Never pipework first then rad. It removes any guesswork and you’ll generally end up with a neater job as you can make sure your pipework is perfectly square and lined up, because you won’t always have the play on the tails that this job had. For instance if your pipe tails exit concrete floors. If you pipe first then try to hang the rad, if you are even a few mill out when fitting the rad then you’ll move the pipework and it will look pony.

Secondly. You never ever put ptfe on external threads like a towel rail rad valve. The professional way is to paste behind the olive. Ptfe is for screwed male threads that are being wound in to a female fitting. If you paste compression joints you won’t have to tighten them as much. Meaning less likely to crush olive, distort pipe, especially on small bore pipe. If you need external ptfe to stop your joint leaking. Your joint has already failed.

Hope this helps some of you keen DIYrs

[totherarf]

A couple of points spring to mind.

If you are moving any radiator that has been in for a while Be Careful! Even with inhibitor the water in the radiator you have just drained (because you never get it all out) will want to slop out when you move. It will almost certainly have iron in it and be black. This is hard to clean up .... don't ask me how I know! .... bung the open end up with something, even a cloth rag will do to stop the spillage!

Second point is soldering your pipes. You can get copper pushfit bends that are fairly slim. Well worth your trouble. If you are going to solder when you see the ring of solder from your joint add some more solder to be sure there are no voids. I see you did this off camera ;o) Don't forget to wipe the joint clean with a rag as the flux is corrosive and your pipes will discolour.

[pauluswoodgnome]

Some house builders now fix OSB behind the plasterboard, where the radiators are to be positioned during first fix. It's there to make for easy hanging of the rads during second fix

[tomrob]

I see you put tape on the chrome nut/fitting before using the adjustable spanner what a good idea thanks for that tip 👌

[philipford]

I’m a pipe fitter and that was a perfect job. Nice one Stuart.

[DavidSmith-zikj]

Many thanks for doing this, so helpful and informative 👍🏻

[rupertmiller]

I would expect nothing else from UK builders, as a result I do as much as I can myself, without bodging. haven't tried plastering yet! Your videos are a great help and make projects doable.

[holohane]

Great video as always Stuart. I love your attention to detail like the painters tape around the chrome nuts.

[kevwillis]

Really enjoy your content. You really break it down for a diy enthusiast. Great work.

[glynprice]

I've got the same ferrex multi tool, best £15 on tools I've ever spent. Another great episode, thanks

[bradleytuckwell]

It’s hard to believe they left it finger tight and not a drop of water came out. You’ve done a quality job as always thanks for posting

[iditdetectioninprogress]

OSB will just be a mounting pattress for the towel rail. Most new builds where its drywall system will install ply or OSB where radiators, heaters or other fixed equipment needs mounting.

[tomsanders]

Yep I do exactly the same thing to speed things up just draining the one radiator.

My kids have new flats and I found plywood when getting an electricity supply for a cabinet from a nearby shaver socket. I guessed it was put there to make hanging things on the wall more secure.

Great job.

[kevin-the-carrot]

When i decorate any room i have always removed the radiator but i have not done what you have done and that is close off all the other radiators.I have learned something from your video that i will do the same next time i decorate a room.👍

[simonphilpott]

Perfect timing as I will soon have to replace a similar towel rail. As always, plenty of useful information so thanks for sharing.

[jnsy]

Stuart
Ive watched all your videos and you are as professional as they come. Real knowledge and know how. Absolute legend.
Thanks mate

[andyc]

Thanks Stuart, I need to replace a damaged valve on a rad in my en-suite so this will prove handy, as I didn't really want to drain down the whole system !

[jmayes]

My wife comes out of the bathroom this morning and said can I remove the radiator so she can repaint. Lo and behold you have uploaded this video this morning. Thankyou

[danthompson]

The reason you should drain the full system, is that if one of those full TRVs doesnt shut off properly, you will have water dribbling out of the open ends. As Lutoman said you should always do your solding in situ, and pipe to the rad, so water constantly dribbling while you're trying to solder is no good. Unfortunately you will often cause yourself more hassle than its worth, especially on a sealed system like yours, where filling up is very quick and straight forward.

[AmazeTase]

That hand tightened joint was a nightmare Stuart….surprised it never sprang a leak before! Great video mate.