Tiling behind a radia

[mike004]

Tiling behind a radiator.
I need to get behind the rad. to chip out the old tiles, repatch the plater if necessary and refit new tiles.
Do I need to remove the rad? Or will it swivel out 45 degrees, if I loosen the tails?

Mike

 

[Diyisfun]

If there is give in the pipe work you may be able to lift it & swivel it over. You need to lift it from the hooks.
If the rad is not too big see if there is any give in the pipes. If there is you will need to loosen the nuts at each end. Remember you may get a leak so have towels ready.
If you manage to lift & tilt it, it will need supporting dont lay it right over on to the floor, you may strain the connectors. Good luck

 

[mike004]

Thanks. It's a small single rad, in the bathroom.
First, I'll have to see if I can loosen the nuts.

Mike

 

[joe-90]

It's a simple job to remove it. Far less hassle in the long run.

 

[mike004]

Can you buy special spanners for this?
I am not getting far using my cheapo adjustable spanner.

Mike

 

[Diyisfun]

An adjustable spanner should be ok. Try removing the plastic cap of the rad valve.

 

[Softus]

You will turn off both rad valves fully, if you're going to remove the rad, won't you?

 

[gcol]

......and have a bucket ready.

 

[JohnD]

you need two big adjustable spanners. Hold the valve steady with one while you undo the big nut with the other. Otherwise it will twist, and damage the joint and/or pipe. To undo the nut, you screw it TOWARDS the radiator and away from the valve.

An emulsion paint tray is good for catching the water that runs out. Have two, then you can swap them as you empty the first one into your bucket.

Once you have slacked off the first nut, you can use the radiator bleed screw to let air in the top (and water out the bottom). Don't undo the nut at the other end until you think you have emptied the radiator.

When you lift the rad off, more water and sediment will spill out from the bottom channel. Empty it into your tray or bucket. If you get black water and sediment out, the system needs to be cleaned (which is a separate point).

You must tighten both rad valves completely closed otherwise instead of just draining water out of the rad, you will be draining it out of the pipes too.

 

[the_flash]

I'm assuming this is also how I would replace the rad compleatly, as I am thinking of changing the rad in my v.small bathroom into a heated towl rail.

 

[Spr0cket]

In theory the same pricinples can be applied to replacing, though typcailly you'll be lucky if the towel rail fittings match up with radiator you remove, and also valves often are not same orientation in regards vertical or horizontal fitting.