411homerepair.com

How to Fit a New Radiator, the Essentials for a Successful Project

by Boris Dzhingarov on Nov 19, 2014

You may decide to change your radiator for many reasons, and these could include replacing an old, inefficient radiator to save money and increase the heat output (BTU), or to upgrade to a stylish designer radiator. Whatever the reason is, your starting point will be the search for a new radiator, closely followed by a decision on fitting. Most people would hire a plumber to do the job, but if you have some basic tools and some practical knowledge of them, you could probably do the job yourself. Here is a basic outline of how to fit your new radiator in easy steps.

Tools

You are going to need a selection of spanners, a butane torch, rags, a bucket, a key for bleed nipples, pipe cutter, and emery cloth.

Materials

Firstly, you will need the correct copper piping to use, along with a selection of ready soldered connectors ----straight, u, and t connectors, pipe clips, butane gas, and PTFE tape.

Step 1. Disconnect the Radiator

Before starting anything, put some old rags around the radiator to catch any overflow from the radiator when you are disconnecting it, then turn off the water boiler and the water supply. You will find a drain valve on one of the downstairs radiators, so fit a hosepipe onto that and run it outside. Undo the drain cock and open the bleed nipple on the radiator, and allow the water to flow outside until no more water is seen coming out.

Step 2. Remove the Radiator

Disconnect the valves from the radiator, after placing a bucket or bowl near the pipes and laying more rags. The pipes will pull from the radiator valves, but be careful not to overextend them. Once the piping is disconnected, the radiator should lift away from the wall, but be careful about the weight, and you will probably need to pour any water left inside the radiator into the bucket that you have handy before taking the radiator from the room.

Brackets

It is unlikely that your new radiator will fit onto your existing brackets, so you will need to use the stencil supplied with your radiator to mark where your brackets will go. Decide on your radiator position and height, and mark the center of the radiator on the wall. Measure out from the center to each bracket, and use the stencils to mark the holes. It is important that your radiator is level, so use a spirit level when positioning the stencils. Once marked, you can drill the holes, insert Rawl plugs, fit the new thermostatic valves to your radiator (after applying some PTFE tape), screw on your brackets, and hang your radiator on the wall.

Pipes

Depending on the position of your new radiator, you will need to decide how best to run the pipes to your radiator. This will be different for all rooms, so the measuring will need to be carefully done. Always measure twice before cutting (with the pipe cutter), and smoothing the ends over with emery cloth. Solder joints to the pipework as you go, as this will make measuring more efficient, and fit clips for the pipes as you go too. The final fit into the valve is very important, and you will be using olives to fit the pipes to the valves, so make sure they are the correct size before trying to fit them.

Once you have done all of this, you will need to refill the system, turn your boiler back on, and run the water through the radiator to check for leaks, and congratulate yourself on another job well done. This is not a job for a complete amateur, so be careful and plan before you start.

Latest Articles

Troubleshooting Excess Water in Your HVAC Secondary Condensate Drain Pan

When maintaining your air conditioning system, it is easy to overlook the condensate drain pan - until excess water starts pooling in places where...

on Jan 12, 2025

Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs): A Beginners Guide

By combining the advantages of stock market and real estate investing, Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, offer an alluring investment...

on Dec 19, 2024

Global Real Estate Trends: What’s Driving Property Investments This Year?

For investors hoping to optimize returns in the ever-changing world of real estate, knowing current trends is not merely a matter of staying...

on Dec 19, 2024

5 Reasons to Use Gutter Cleaning Services

Gutters protect your home from water damage by directing rainwater away from your roof, walls, and foundation. However, they often required regular...

on Nov 14, 2024

Before You Sign: How Home Inspections Identify Hidden Hazards in Your Future Home

Buying a home is exciting, but hidden dangers can turn that dream into a nightmare if not addressed early on. Beyond what is visible during a...

on Oct 18, 2024

Actions

More DIY Articles

Why Solar Panels Should Be in Your Home Décor Plan This Year

There is a reason why the usage of solar power has grown to over 70% of American households over recent years. You should not be left behind as a...

Eco-Friendly / Go Green

What are the Real Benefits of Window Replacement Projects?

There is no secret that windows replacement projects can provide you lots of wonderful benefits and that most of them have already been talked...

Windows / Siding

Warning Signs of Old Windows

Unfortunately, today is the era when people need to think about the renovation projects of their home because old houses tend to get older and...

Windows / Siding

Best Roof Coating - Liquid Roof

Liquid-applied roof coatings have proven themselves as useful tools for roofing professionals to restore and protect existing roofs. They can be...

Roofing / Gutters

Renovating or Repairing Your Home? Let Self Storage Take the Strain and Stress Away

When it comes to a large scale renovation of your property, or maybe an urgent repair caused by a flood or small fire incident, the strain and...

Construction / Materials

Contact Us | Submit Article | 411homerepair © 2025