Swapping radiator for towel rail - help please!?

Question

I want to swap the normal radiator in my bathroom for a heated towel rail. Does anyone know if they use the same pipes (the ones that deliver water to the radiator) or do i need to get a plumber to replace radiator pipes for towel rail pipes? Is there an adaptor or something i can buy instead? Is it an expensive job? Any tips would be appreciated! Thanks

Thanks so much for all your help. So it looks like i dont need to change the pipes!! Does that mean that i dont have to put the radiator half way up the wall like you see them in showrooms ie. can i plumb it in at ground level where the existing radiator is already plumbed in? I'm not too keen on the idea of pulling off bits of the wall!

Answer 1

Should be the same fitting.
You main problem is the towel rail is going to be a different size so the pipes will be too far apart.
This is going to mean you will have to do some basic plumbing.
Not difficult but if you havn't done it before I'd get a plumber.

http://www.victoriaplumb.com/bathroom_DIY/changing_a_radiator.html

Answer 2

The easiest way to replace a radiator with a towel rail is to find a towel rail which is the same size as the radiator. If the valves of the two are the same distance apart, the job is much easier. If not however; you will need to add or reduce your pipework. These days towel rails hang on the wall for the most part, and as such the supply pipes either need to come through the wall to meet the valve, or if your pipework is in the floor feeding your old radiator, you may want to extend it up the wall to meet the valves. This is not a neat option but it can be a great deal easier if you are not confident with your plumbing skills. The pipework can be shaped, using bends and elbows, above floor level to meet the valves, but for a better job you may need to take up a section of the floor to move the pipework into a "tidier" position.
Good Luck
I hope this is helpful for u

Answer 3

I should be the same pipes as it's just a glorified radiator. I would personally open the pack that the towel rail comes in and read the instruction booklet. If you go to B&Q, find an 'older' assistant and ask them to help you and explain what you need to do and what you might need.
The only thing I would be wary of is losing the pressure from the boiler, and make sure that you close the pipes off properly or you'll end up wet!

Answer 4

We`ve just done this job ourselves, using the pipework that served the existing radiators, we have also fitted an electric element inside the towel rail so that it can be timed to come on during the summer while the central heating is off.....if you intend to do this too then make sure that you buy the correct towel rail, as not all of them will accept an electric element, if you buy from B&Q then look in their catalogue and it will tell you which towel rails take the elements and which don`t. At the moment they have an offer on one of their rails, it`s £66, but the elements are much cheaper from ScrewFix.

Answer 5

The fittings will be the same, or easy to change over, could be Microbore 8 or 10mm pipe or 15mm pipe. the cetres for the valves will be different, so you will probably have to extend somewhere, depends if the pipes come through the wall or the floor? You will probably have to drain and refill, but you may be able to shut the existing valves and extend/adapt from them. I would expect a plumber to charge 45-70 pounds if he's decent, it's not a huge job.

Answer 6

its the same pipes. the fitting at the bottom of the radiator is standard.

as for positioning, you can just put it at ground level if you want. its not a big job to shift the pipes to a higher level. you can either just do it from the outside (which wont look very good) or just chip a groove in the plaster. if you're not very good with the plumbing soldering flame, then just use the fastening connections.

Answer 7

Hi,

You could plumb it in a ground level but most towel radiators are u he wall to keep the towels off the fllor.

Ther is no technical reason why is can't be near the floor.

Good luck

Answer 8

Towel Rails tend to be electric rather than running off your central heating, but you may be able to get a centrally heated one- if so you wont need to change the plumbing.
But generally what happens with the electrical heated towel rails you have them on a diffferent switch or you have them on a timer so when the central heating turns off the towel rail turns on.
Speak to the people at B & Q they are very helpful and will tell you all you need to know.

Answer 9

Use the same pipes & you could put an electric heater in the towel rail for summer use, look at screwfix.com

Answer 10

they should be the same pipes, make sure your new rail has the same spaced pipes. it should be a no brainer. the most expensive thing is getting the rail. you should be able to fix it yourself. remember to bleed the rail once you attach it.