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www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk Forum Index -> Plumbing Forum
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twistzilla
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 21
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 Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 12:42 pm Post subject: I need help moving a radiator too! |
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Hi All,
I'm planning on moving a radiator in an upstairs bedroom this weekend. Ive read some past posts and I've a good idea what I'm doing. But I still have a couple of points I could do with some help with:
I have a raven heat combi boiler which is also upstairs and I think I'm closed loop.
How do I drain the radiator system? I havn't been able to find any drain tap and I've heard other posters talking about draining through a downstairs radiator - how do you do this?
I've seen a few articles on this site recomending using plastics pipes over copper and using pushfit fittings - If I used plastic for the new pipework Would there be any problems in mixing and plasitc and copper?
And Finally refilling the system - I was going to pour some rust inhibitor in throught the bleed valve on one of the radiators and then use the tap on my combi boiler to fill the system from the mains - is this the right approach!
Thanks |
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skiking
Senior Member
Joined: 13 Sep 2006
Posts: 3086
Location: Cheshire
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| Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: |
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| On one of the downstairs radiators you should have something like this. Just connect a length of hose to it to either outside or into a bucket then open up the drain valve. If its an upstairs radiator you are moving you shouldn't need to completely drain the system. |
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ultimatehandyman
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Jul 2005
Posts: 9740
Location: Darwen, Lancashire
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| Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 3:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| How do I drain the radiator system? I havn't been able to find any drain tap and I've heard other posters talking about draining through a downstairs radiator - how do you do this? |
If you have no drain valve you can use a self cutting tap to drain down the system with a washing machine hose and length of hosepipe- http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/how_to_fit_a_self_cutting_tap.htm
Then when you have drained it you can fit a drain off valve like skiking has pointed out above.
You do not need to use a self cutting tap you can open one of the radiator nuts and collect the water in a shallow bowl or a rubble sack, until the system is empty. Make sure you open a bleed valve on an upstairs radiator during draining off and this will ensure that the system empties correctly.
| Quote: |
| I've seen a few articles on this site recomending using plastics pipes over copper and using pushfit fittings - If I used plastic for the new pipework Would there be any problems in mixing and plasitc and copper? |
You can mix copper and plastic pipe and use either pushfit joints or compression. Compression joints are preferred, make sure you use inserts with plastic pipe.
| Quote: |
| And Finally refilling the system - I was going to pour some rust inhibitor in throught the bleed valve on one of the radiators and then use the tap on my combi boiler to fill the system from the mains - is this the right approach! |
Yes, that is spot on 
You could fill the system first with just the filling loop and check for leaks, then drain a little off and add the inhibitor as well if you like!
You will have to bleed the radiators as well
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Jaeger_S2k
Senior Member
Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Posts: 2786
Location: North West, England, United Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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Don't think your 'Closed Loop' but that's just being picky.
If your dumping the system and want to add inhibitor without power flushing, drop the whole system. Empty everything and fill it - Repeat! (at least 3 times.)
You'll see why when you do it.
You really should have a drain off somewhere. If not on a Locksheild (as per skikings post) which should be on a downstairs rad and near an opening (if the engineer was using his head). Alternatively, look outside the house for a small pipe with a close off valve sticking out the wall (look near the radiator positions, but outside. Could be really low down.), it's a favourite I've seen a few times when folks have said they've no drain off.
If you find nothing then you'll have to 'break in' and drain off as UHM has said. If you do do it at the lowest point you can downstairs.
When you say 'through the bleed valve', that'll be tight
on the other end of the radiator there's plug (looks like a bleed valve without the valve) that would be the better place to add the inhibitor, but you need a radiator key to put it back in and some PTFE tape, Gas tape is better and I'm using it more and more (comes in a yellow pack the same stuff just thicker so less windings) but normal (if you already have it) will be fine, just wrap lots round at least 10 laps, the radiator plugs are renowned for passing water if you don't wrap them enough and should be really really tight to turn.
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Jaeger.
"Does my bum look BIG in this?" Wit's a Ba' Hair in Metric? 
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twistzilla
Junior Member
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 10:32 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks everyone that's great advice! |
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