Fitting thermostatic radiator valves

[james_tigerwoods]

As I want to actually be able to control the radiators in some rooms, I'd like to get/fit some thermostatic radiator valves - how easy is it to do this - or should I get me a plumber?

[The_Burg]

Dead simple, but you do need to drain the system first.
Re-filling was the hard bit

[miniman]

You **could** try freezing the pipes, but the risk is, of course, that they thaw half way through the job and spew nasty black water all over your new cream carpet. This is why I got a plumber in to do it - 3 rads, 2 hours, £60, done.

[tegwin]

Its fairly easy, but requires some patience....You will need to drain the system.... Take the oppertunity to fit some new antifreeze/inhibiter to the system whilst you are at it...

Dont fit TRVs to every radiator... Leave atleast 1 (preferably the 1 closest to the house room stat) without a TRV...and make sure its lockshield valve is OPEN always!

[Justin S]

If you havent done this before, I would get someone to help.I would also look to putting in some flushing agent a couple of weeks before hand to allow a clean out of the system sludge etc that may have built up. I have known friends to 'drain' their heating down, remove the rad in the bathroom and decorate.Forgot to turn the clock off, the pump kicks in and spewed black water all up the walls they had just painted..........just little things that you need to remember. I also removed all my rads from the house and stuck a hose in, to flush them out of muck.