Changing Radiator

PiKe · 9 Jul 2019 at 19:58

I want to upgrade my radiators to a higher output version, they appear to be a standard 1000mm wide.

Do I need to bare anything in mind when purchasing new ones as long as the width is the same?

Jasoncmor · 9 Jul 2019 at 20:24

Just make sure the fittings are the same, they usually are but sometimes can differ.

PiKe · 9 Jul 2019 at 20:50

Can I re-use the old radiator tails/insert?

Hedge · 9 Jul 2019 at 23:08

PiKe said:
Can I re-use the old radiator tails/insert?

Yeah just use plenty of ptfe and you should be fine. If you are gonna change valves then I would change the tails too though.

PiKe · 10 Jul 2019 at 01:54

Wanted to check I could do this before getting parts, so I've removed the radiator from the wall - surprising how much water they hold!

Only slight issue is the one side of the radiator hasn't shut off completely so I have a very slow drip, put an ice cream container under it for now I'm going to have to get a compression end cap the in the morning because the radiator will take a couple of days to be delivered and I don't want my system continually leaking.

thegreysquirrel · 10 Jul 2019 at 11:13

You might be able to do the old 5p and a washer in a standard compression nut trick to tide you over. Though a proper end cap is better.

cheesyboy · 10 Jul 2019 at 11:23

Radiator tips (probably no use for OP, but maybe for others):

When removing radiators, if it's on carpet I want to keep, or just don't fancy ******* up the floor, I drill a drainage hole in the bottom for a controlled emptying. Drill another near the top to allow for air to get in and drain faster.
To dispose, just leave it outside the house for the scrapmen to take.

Easy enough to fit a new one if the pipes line up

thegreysquirrel · 10 Jul 2019 at 14:43

cheesyboy said:
Radiator tips (probably no use for OP, but maybe for others):

When removing radiators, if it's on carpet I want to keep, or just don't fancy ******* up the floor, I drill a drainage hole in the bottom for a controlled emptying. Drill another near the top to allow for air to get in and drain faster.
To dispose, just leave it outside the house for the scrapmen to take.

Easy enough to fit a new one if the pipes line up

Good idea, though I'd suggest just loosening/taking out the bleed valve instead of drilling a top hole.

Mark A · 10 Jul 2019 at 18:42

If its the valve side and you don't have the little plastic cap that came with the valve, you could try removing the valve body and putting something small into the bit that pushes the pin down and then screw it back on. They often have an anti freeze setting that lets a small amount of water through, so they don't always push the pin fully home.

PiKe · 10 Jul 2019 at 20:16

My plumber popped around with a compression cap as I'd bought the wrong size!

Top man.