Quick radiator question

[miniman]

If I turn the TRV on one end of a rad right down, and shut off the valve at the other end, can I theoretically disconnect the rad without making too much of a mess? (I realise I will have to carefully drain the rad). TIA

[Roy E6]

Yep, turn both valves off and you should be fine. Don't get any black sludge on your carpet when removing the rad!

[Gav147]

Yes you can do it, just make sure the trv is fully off. Put a couple of containers under each valve as you undo them to catch any drips/spills then (with help if its a big rad) lift the rad and block the open ends with a your hand and then turn it upside down to hold the water in the rad so you can carry it outside to empty.

[miniman]

No sludge on carpet... no carpet

[Torquey]

I always feel more comfortable having some caps at hand for when it's off.

Last time I did it the TRV would not tightly shut off the water.

[SS2.]

Torquey said:

I always feel more comfortable having some caps at hand for when it's off.

Yup, caps for the pipes and a couple of tampons to plug the rad once most of the water has been drained into a bowl..

[miniman]

Next question: instead of putting back the radiator, will the same fittings work with a towel rad / warmer? The fittings themselves are on the end of flexi plastic pipes which emerge from the wall via a triangular doodad.

[jonnylayze]

miniman said:

Next question: instead of putting back the radiator, will the same fittings work with a towel rad / warmer? The fittings themselves are on the end of flexi plastic pipes which emerge from the wall via a triangular doodad.

I think this should work - but I hate those flexi pipes,,,

[Ricky_M]

Do not leave an open end on a TRV, most have a frost setting that will open the valve if the temperature becomes to low. Get yourself some female caps and blank the TRV off.

I would never trust a TRV to remain shut!

[B17NNS]

Gav147 said:

Put a couple of containers under each valve as you undo them to catch any drips/spills

Paint roller trays are good for this.

Oh, and don't forget to open the bleed valve when draining the rad.

It WILL be full of nasty black sludge.

[Gingerbread Man]

B17NNS said:

Paint roller trays are good for this.

Oh, and don't forget to open the bleed valve when draining the rad.

It WILL be full of nasty black sludge.

But remember to put it back before you flip the radiator over to carry outside.

[Gingerbread Man]

miniman said:

Next question: instead of putting back the radiator, will the same fittings work with a towel rad / warmer? The fittings themselves are on the end of flexi plastic pipes which emerge from the wall via a triangular doodad.

Plastic microbore pipes come out from the stud wall/ dot and dab wall behind the rad. Then go to valves? Newish house? If so, a dreadful way of doing it with dreadful microbore.

If you swap the rad for a towel rail, you see the gaping hole and pipes flexing on down to the valves. Not much can be easily done about it though.

Pipes coming up from the floor tend to use straight radiator valves. Pipes coming out of the wall perpendicular to the towel rail tend to use 90' angled valves. Available in chrome to match a chromed rail.

[miniman]

Yes, yes and yes

The pipes emerge via something along these lines

[Gingerbread Man]

miniman said:

Yes, yes and yes

The pipes emerge via something along these lines

Saw one of those today with the electrical supply for a cooker coming out of it. I've seen double socket blanking plates used or just an exposed hole in the wall.

[B17NNS]

Gingerbread Man said:

But remember to put it back before you flip the radiator over to carry outside.

You speak with similar experience I presume .

My carpet was cream.