A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How To Remove A Radiator

Date Published:

26/05/2009

Step Three

Move to the other end of the radiator and pull off the plastic cover over the lockshield valve. Turn the square brass valve top clockwise as far as it will go, using an adjustable wrench. Make a note of the number of turns needed as the valve should be re-set by the same amount to ensure the flow through the system isn’t altered when you replace the radiator.

Step Four

Return to the on/off control valve and place one wrench over the body of the valve while you use the other to loosen the nut that holds the valve onto the radiator inlet. Now place a bowl or bucket under the control valve.

Step Five

Use a radiator key to open the air vent valve, found in one of the top corners of the radiator. This breaks the vacuum in the system and allow the water to flow out of the control valve end.

Step Six

Use the same technique to undo the nut on the lockshield valve and gently lift the radiator off its wall brackets. Use your radiator key to close the bleed valve.

Step Seven

Once you’ve decorated, wrap some PTFE tape around the screw threads at each end of the radiator, replace the radiator and re-tighten both valves. Never over-tighten the valve nuts as this will weaken the fitting and may cause a leak.

Open the control or thermostatic valve and open the bleed valve to allow water to flow back into the radiator. Wait for the water to fill the unit and turn the lockshield valve by the same number of turns as used to close it.

Turn on your central heating and check for leaks. You may have introduced air into the system so bleed all your radiators after re-fitting the radiator.