How to move a radiator
12th Mar 2017 Home & Garden
Changing the position of a radiator can free up valuable wall space when you change the layout of a room.
Before you start
1. Lay the radiator face down and fit the wall brackets into the straps at the back, making sure they are both the same distance from the outer edge of the radiator and from the base. 2. Measure the height of the brackets and add 50mm to allow clearance of the skirting board. Measure the distance between them. Then transfer these measurements to the wall.
3. Hold the first bracket at the correct height on the wall. Mark the positions of the fixing holes and check that they're vertical. Drill and plug the holes, then screw the bracket to the wall with 2x 50mm No 12 screws. 4. Position the second bracket at the correct distance from the first and the right height above the skirting board. Fix it with one screw through the long slot and then check its position with your spirit level before driving in the second screw. 5. Offer up the radiator, slipping the straps on the back over the hooks on the brackets. If the radiator is level, lift it off again and fit the valves. Then replace it and connect it to the re-routed pipework. |
Replacing the radiator
1. If you're replacing a radiator, but keeping the valves, remove the valve tail pieces from the old radiator. Turn the valve tail counter-clockwise.
2. Hold the new radiator in position to check if the wall brackets need repositioning.
3. Wind PTFE tape round the thread of the valve tail pieces. Screw the tail pieces in place.
4. Fit a new air vent at the same end of the radiator as before, using PTFE tape as for the valve tail. Use the radiator spanner to tighten it in. Fit a new plug if there's an open tapping in the other top end.
5. Lift the radiator onto the wall brackets and reconnect the valve union nuts.
6. Open the valves to fill the radiator with water. Let air out through the air vent, and check for leaks. Reset the lockshield valve to its original position.
Warning: If there's a thermostatic radiator valve on a radiator, turn it down to zero before disconnecting the tail pieces and removing the radiator. Otherwise there's a risk that the valve will open, flooding the room, if the temperature drops.
Alternatively, fit the special screw-down cap, supplied with the valves, in place of the sensor to shut off the valve while the radiator is out of use.
