How can I remove a radiator so I can decorate behind?

Answer 1

You don't loosen a radiator , GIGGLES 007
Turn off the valves at both ends.
Get a hefty neighbour to come along with a bucket and a roasting tin from the kitchen.
Undo one of the valves, allowing some water to run out. Repeat other end, BE careful as the valves have a tendency to rotate.
Undo both valves completely, and lift radiator off wall and IMMEDIATELY turn upside down and out the open door.
Don't spill the dirty water.
When ready to re-install put inhibitor into the system, Fernox being a good one.The blackness is black rust." Magnetite"
LATER :- IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO DRAIN DOWN SYSTEM,,DON'T BRING IN NEW OXYGENATED WATER.
Still later :-Some of the answers later on scare the hell out of me

Answer 2

I guess this is a hot water radiator?

To remove it from the wall, it has to be drained.

To do this:

Turn off both valves - this isolates the radiator from the rest of the system.

Open the radiator bleed valve ( small square nut either on the end or the back, at the top). This will allow air to enter the radiator and will help it drain more efficiently.

Undo the large nuts which attach the valves to the radiator ( usually chrome ones). Ease the valve(s) away from the radiator-have a bowl ready, because the water will begin to run out. It can be very dirty and will stain your carpet, so be careful.

When the radiator is empty (maybe several bowlfuls, depending on the size of the radiator) lift the radiator upwards off its mountings, making sure that the pipes and valves don't get in the way. This is a two person job really-don't try it on your own, because some radiators can be very heavy. There is almost always some water left in the radiator, so make sure that your carpets are protected.

Now you can decorate .

To put it back:

Hang it back on the mountings
Reattach the pipes and do the nuts up (these are a conical fit, so make sure that the mating surfaces are clean, or it'll leak)

Open the valves to refill the radiator - remember that the system will be 1 radiator of water short now, so you will need to refill the system. Allow it to fill until water comes out of the radiator bleed valve, then close the valve.

That should be it.

Have fun

Answer 3

Removing A Radiator For Decorating

Answer 4

You may get away with not fully draining the radiator but you'll need someone to give you a hand. (1) Close both of the valves (2) Slightly slacken the unions on the radiator valves (these are the bigger hexagon nuts) make sure you've put an old towel underneath each end. With the unions slightly slackened you may have enough play in the pipes to lift the radiator a few millimetres off the brackets, and then assist the radiator to swivel onto the floor Then nip up the unions,,,ole job done. Before you start release the system pressure to zero from the radiator, any other radiator via the air tap / bleed or from the boiler drain tap. Be aware that if you decide to remove the radiator that thermostatic valves do not always give a clean shutt off and can drip in the middle of the night all over your lovely carpet ! Personally, if I was removing the rad completely I'd drain the system to below the radiator level The mains cold water to the filling loop on the heating side of your combi will already be disconnected (or should be) so no worries there. You will of course still be able to have hot water as the mains cold water supply to this side of the boiler is always on. Good luck and get the pattern right !

Answer 5

You will need to turn off the radiator and the water coming to it: The valve at the side should be turned as far clockwise as it will go. Along the pipe there should be a flow valve, this looks like a bit of pipe with a screw in it. Using a flat head screw driver you should turn the head of the valve at right angle to the flow of the pipe. this will turn off the flow. Next you should unhook the radiator, do this by simple lifting it half way off the brackets and pulling it out a bit (half way because there are hooks at the top usually). If you want the radiator completely off and not just moved out a few inches then wrap a tea-towel around the input pipe (the one with the adjustable valve) and loosen the nut with a spanner, some water will come out but not too much so don't worry. Check that the other flow valve is closed and do the same on the output side.

Answer 6

There are a number of occasions when removing the radiator would make life very easy indeed. Decorating, replacing the floor or skirting boards, flushing the central heating out.

Its not a hard job, and providing you take adequate precautions, not a messy one either.

Every radiator has two valves, one to let the water in and one to let out again. Mostly the valves will be as shown below. One valve will be operational in that it actually turns the spindle to open or shut the valve. This one is called the wheelhead valve. The other is generally a white, cone shaped cover which simply pulls off to reveal the spindle underneath. This one is called the lockshield.

A third variety is getting more and more common now and that is the thermostatic valve. The principle is the same. If the valves are off, no water can come from the pipes, the radiator is isolated.
Pull off the locksheild head (sometimes there is a little grub screw holding it on) and, using a small adjustable spanner, turn it as far, clockwise, as it will go. This will close the valve. Now do the same with the wheelhead valve, just by turning the handle clockwise. There is no need to remove anything from this one.

Between each valve and the radiator there is nut. This nut is part of the radiator and not the valves. The left hand nut will undo by turning the nut toward you, the right hand one will undo by turning it away from you. The nuts will stay on the radiators as there is a small lip on the radiator entry point which will hold them on.

The most important thing to remember when undoing the nuts, and later, when tightening them, is to hold the valve solid with another spanner. We use two adjustable spanners, one to hold the valve and one to undo the nut. It is very important the pipes are not allowed to bend as if they kink they may leak.
Undo both the nuts until they are just loose (you will need some help here). Now undo them all the way and pull the valve gently away from the rad. Get your finger or thumb over the hole as soon as you can to reduce spillage. When you have both holes blocked you will be able to lift the radiator straight up from its bracket. You may have to pull it forward slightly as well as upward. The brackets are shaped as below, left, so you can see how the radiator will lift off.
replacing is the reverse of this, hope this helps

Answer 7

Go to B&Q - buy a small roller with a long handle. It's call a radiator roller. This is assuming you only want to paint.

If you want to paper - turn the small brass valve clockwise - with an adjustable spanner - to turn the radiator off. You'll see a larger nut - about 24mm, where the pipes join the radiator. Turn these anti-clockwise until they move a little - DO NOT REMOVE THEM COMPLETELY. Have a large towel underneath to soak up a small potential spillage. Get a strong friend to lift the radiator off its brackets and bring flat to the floor. All this time the radiator should still be attached by the nuts. Tighten the nuts up again.

Decorate - then do the reverse of the above!

Answer 8

Don't remove it completely,first lift radiator to see if you have enough play to lift it about an inch and a half, (not a metric man) if so turn off both taps (one each side of radiator) one being the thermostatic control the other one usually covered by a plastic cap, have a couple of old towels ready one each end under unions, undo unions slightly, lift radiator out of retaining bracket and let top of radiator fall towards you keep radiator under control whilst lowering towards the floor onto a sturdy prop (to stop pipes taking the strain) and re tighten unions. When decorating completed refit in reverse order. One person job DEPENDING ON THE SIZE OF RADIATOR they can. get very heavy. When the radiator is replaced and the UNIONS re tightened you will have to bleed the radiator GET THE AIR OUT OF IT.Please note, the water in the radiator will be absolutely grotty, make sure you really wrap those towels around the pipes!

Answer 9

I would leave the radiator in position as rusty water might spill on the floor and stain your carpet or tiles - it would be much easier to remove the wall from the outside, leaving the radiator connected and still heating the room or rooms in question, mark the bricks and other parts so you can reassemble everything in the correct order. Then take the bricks and wallpaper inside, decorate them and then refit everything in reverse order. Before you know it the jobs done and you have a beautiful wall behind the radiator. This method is also very practical when you want to clean the outside of the bricks or even add and additional door or window. Good luck

Answer 10

right, i had to change 22 of these buggers in our hose... bloody nightmare, ... (with help from a plumber mind)

it depends if you want to decorate fully behind the wall..... i can't see the point myself, just get a piece of card board and push the pasted paper behind it,.... if painting then obviously won't work.

if you're determind to do behind the radiator then follow these steps

1. close the valves on eachside ( there the ones on top...usually turn the white things... but you may need pliers.

2. slightly loosen the main fitting into the radiator... and i mean slightly...remember that its full of water!!! so you'll have to drain it... (good idea to put towel down as well just incase you spill a bit

3. once drained down undo the fitting fully (carefull there might be a tiny bit of water left in.

4. lift it off the wall ( a good way to stop ant tiny spillage is to flip the radiator upside down once off the wall)

5. paper paint away

6. lift the radiator back onto the wall (make sure it's clipped on to the backets)

7. put the main fitting back together...... tight! so it doesn't leak!... get some PTFE tape and wrapp it around the fitting..... it helps seal it.

8. make sure they are tight, and then allow the water back into the radiator by turning the white knobs again ( or getting the pliers)

9. job done


hope it helps......

Answer 11

There really is no need to remove it.

I am a painter and decorator and decorate approx 3 houses a month all with rads. It is easy enough to decorate behind the radiator with the right equipment...long handled brushes, mini rollers and some patience and TLC. It is also easy enough to wallpaper with a steadyhand. Failing that put a shelf over the radiator...not only can you then display stuff over it, you need never decorate behind it.

Good Luck.