Central Heating Drain Off

[gk66]

Hi, I'm looking to drain off the central heating to replace a couple of radiators. They are all fitted with the valves pictured.

Are these drain valves? If they are can someone advise how they work and what I'll need (a plumber!). I don't want to flood the house ........ again!

If they're not can someone advise what I should be looking for. All the ground floor radiators have the same valves, there's nothing near the boiler and I don't have any drain off on the outside of the house.

Thanks in advance

gk

Untitled

• gk66
• 26 Jun 2010
• 1

 

[heatserve]

Yes that is a drain-off. If you just loosen the screw, they have the habit of unscrewing themselves and disappearing down the hose, never to be seen again.

 

[MIGEM]

How many times have you caught your ankle on that?, or the hoover?

Loosen the centre screw, relieve the pressure catching the water, once it runs slip a hose on the end.
Practice putting the hose on before you open the valve and run the hose into a bucket before it goes down a drain, incase the screw winds itself out, as heatserve says. (it will fall to the bottom of the bucket and the bucket will overflow water) Open the radiator vent at the top when draining.

 

[gk66]

Many thanks to you both.

How many times have you caught your ankle on that?, or the hoover?

I see what you mean. I took the wee plastic cap off for the photo