How do you remove a radiator so that you can get behind it to paint etc?

Answer 1

First of all you need to close the valves at both ends. take of the plastic cap at the opposite end to the thermostat to close off that end (i forgot the first time and had an almighty flood). you can buy a radiator draining kit from B&Q.with a drain tray and various sizes of water trays to fit around the variuos pipes to control the flow of the water into the tray. these are very handy. however be very careful if the pipes running into your radiator are the 10mm microbore pipes because they kink very easily underneath the valve if you dont have a good enough grip of the valve when your taking it off the radiator. if that happens you'll have to drain your complete heating system and replace the damaged pipe

Answer 2

first turn off the valves each side of the radiator, these are turned off normally by removing the plastic cap and turning the straight bit as far clockwise as you can, normally until it turns no further, then put a small tub under each end of the radiator, as you loosen the silver nuts a bit of water will come out, loosen the nuts right off, they are joined on to the radiator and the valves should then come away but be careful as the radiator is full of water so put a finger over the bottom of the joining pipe in the radiator, do the same on the other side and get a friend to help you lift the radiator up slightly and away from the wall, carry it outside or to the bathroom and hold the radiator over the toilet or a drain and take your finger off the pipe and the water should pour out, normally it is really black and dirty, empty the radiator out and leave it wherever then you can paint the wall behind. putting it back on is exactly the same but in reverse but if you have got a combination boiler you have to top up the water in the system or the boiler won't work properly, this is done with a small washing machine type valve on the bottom of the boiler. if you have balanced system it will just work as normal

Answer 3

It's not a good idea to remove it altogether, since a radiator is part of a closed system. Once you remove it you're letting air into the pipes, which will prevent the radiator from getting hot. Plus, unless you drain the system you'll get water all over the place.

If you remove the radiator you'll have to re-fill the system and bleed the air out of the pipes.

Better to attach a small brush to an extension of some kind (such as a stick) and just paint carefully behind the radiator, or forget it altogether.

Answer 4

Well you turn off your heating, drain the system down, then get a stiltson, a bowl and towels to soak up any remaining water, and undo the nuts that connect the radiator to the heating pipes. However if you're really clever you will go and buy a mini roller with a flexible handle from your local hardware store and use that to paint behind the radiator without having to take it off the wall. You can also get mini rollers for pressing down wall paper behind rads!

Answer 5

Be very careful of the filthy, dirty water that comes out of radiators. It will stain ANYTHING, and it won't come out.

Just buy one of those little brushes that can get behind. B&Q actually stock little radiator brushes, whith long bent handles. To remove a radiator involves draining it down etc and i'm guessing that at some point, you will spill some dirty water.

If you do want to remove it, ask a plumber. He'll do it in 15 minutes. ( if you can get one)

Why bother- just paint the radiator!!

Answer 6

The correct way to remove a radiator is as follows. Turn of both radiator valves by turning clockwise, you may need a spanner to do this if they have'nt been turned off for some time.next, you need to drain the water from the radiator by cracking open the valve at one end, but as you undoe this nut, steady the valve itself to stop it turning. get a shallow dish and a bucket, and let the dirty water dribble into the bowl. open the air vent on one end of the radiator and the water will trickle out faster.when the bowl is full of water, just shut the air vent and empty the water into the bucket. To restart, open the air vent again. keep doing this until all the water is drained out. Next, fully undo both valves at either end, and lift the radiator off the brackets keeping it as level as possible. Then tip any remaining water into the bucket. To replace.Reset the radiator onto the brackets, and reconnect the valves. Open the valves to let the radiator refill, and finally vent the air from the radiator. Job done!!!

Answer 7

You shouldn't. Radiators get corroded on the inside and the fittings may break when disassembling, or may not reassemble without leaking. Removing a radiator should be a last resort, saved for a situation where you are prepared to replace it (and some of the plumbing) completely. Figure out some way to clean and paint without removing it, otherwise you may be really sorry.

Answer 8

check with someone who has already taken their radiator off the wall,
the opposite end from the turmostat use a screwdriver to tighten up the valve, then the thermastat can be turned to full and carry on turning.. until it actually comes off (it should be tightened up)..so it might have to turned the opposite way..you should have something ready for the water to pore into when you take it off..my brother does it all the time and tells me to do the same, but as i am only little and the radiator is quite heavy i paint or wall paper behind it..i would check with someone who has done it before to check that i have said the right way to do it, as i don't want to feel like i have told you wrong..good luck..

Answer 9

most radiators are not fixed perminantly and if you slide it up you can then pull it a bit further forewards to create more room behind it but you have to make sure the radiator is supported. also this is not highly recomended as it can bend the pipes and possibly cause leaks but this is the only way i no of. hope i have been of help could you please have a look at my question in the other education section tittled help me i need to know an easy way to hang wall paper.thanx
good luck

Answer 10

You can buy a small brush like a roller to go down the back of radiator and it paint's it ok..