Remove bathroom towel rail

[ADarkDividedGem]

Hi,

I am trying to remove my rather large bathroom towel rail so I can decorate behind it.
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I have closed both valves and I now I just want to make sure I am unscrewing in the correct direction. I have added arrows to show the direction I think I should be turningView media item 96757
Thanks

 

[denso13]

Yep, both correct. Support the valve as you unscrew the nuts to avoid damaging the microbore.

 

[ADarkDividedGem]

Thanks, Yeah a soon as I start applying pressure the copper pipe just turns with itView media item 96756
Looks like I will need to put something behind the valve to stop it turning as well. Is this normal?

 

[denso13]

Yes, spanner or similar on the nut and one on the body of the valve to stop it turning.

 

[Madrab]

Lefty Loosey ...... Righty Tighty

Looking at the pic tho, you may have twisted the copper too much and it needs twisted back otherwise it might reduce the flow, need to be careful when twisting it back tho so the copper doesn't crack, if it does your CH will drain to that level of the pipework. If you're not sure, I'd get a reputable plumber in to take a quick look.

 

[ADarkDividedGem]

Yes, spanner or similar

How about this for something similar
View media item 96758

Lefty Loosey ...... Righty Tighty

Thanks It was more of a case which way was up as I wasn't sure what pipe was being screwed into what.

Looking at the pic tho, you may have twisted the copper too much

Yup, that is my next worry.

 

[Madrab]

Erm ...... nope, wouldn't use one of them TBH. Wait till your local shed is open tomorrow and go and get a pair of grips, much easier to control, especially now te pipe is twisted and needs finely applied force to get it back without splitting it.

 

[Tay7]

Are these pipes live?

That copper pipe at floor board level looks a bit ropey to me as a DIYer. If there is a floor below I think i'd drain.

 

[ADarkDividedGem]

Erm ...... nope, wouldn't use one of them TBH.

Well the vice was able to keep it in place enough for me to unscrew the nut.

If there is a floor below I think i'd drain.

No floor below but yes I might need to drain if I wanted to do some further corrective survery

Now that I managed to unscrew the pipes the next problem was being able to drain it when all the pipes are vertical. Thanks to the following post they suggested using putty to mould some form of spout. In the end I used some Plumbers Mait and was able to drain the towel rail. The tape was used to keep the nut out of the way.
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I will come back to this when I need to put the towel rail back after I have done my decorating.