Wiktor Wise
Taking apart your electric radiator is a fairly simple process, but it requires careful attention to ensure that you do not damage your pipework or heating system. Before you begin, it is important to turn off your heating system and allow it to cool down, to avoid coming into contact with scalding hot water. You will also need to switch off both radiator valves to isolate the radiator from the rest of the system. Once the radiator is turned off and drained, you can start the process of removing it from the wall. This may be done to paint behind it, or to replace it with a new radiator.
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What You'll Learn
Turn off the heating system and let it cool
Before attempting to take apart your electric radiator, it is important to turn off your heating system and let it cool down. This is a crucial safety step that will help you avoid getting scalded by hot water when you start to disassemble the radiator. Make sure your heating system is completely turned off, and allow sufficient time for your radiators to cool down before proceeding to the next steps.
To turn off your radiator, locate the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) – this is typically the knob on the side of the radiator with numbers on it. Set the TRV to zero or the off position. If you have a combi boiler system, the valve on the opposite side of the radiator is called the lockshield valve. Remove the plastic cap from the lockshield valve and locate the small spindle inside. Using an adjustable spanner, screwdriver, or wrench, turn the lockshield valve clockwise until it is completely closed.
When turning the lockshield valve, it is important to count the number of turns it takes to close the valve. This information will be useful when you need to reinstall the radiator and adjust the pressure. By turning the valve the same number of turns in the opposite direction, you can restore the radiator to its original pressure settings.
Once you have turned off the radiator and allowed it to cool, you can proceed to the next steps of draining the radiator and disconnecting it from the heating system. Remember to always exercise caution when working with heating systems and radiators to prevent accidents or damage.
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Shut off the water supply
Shutting off the water supply is an important step to take before removing your electric radiator. This will ensure that you don't come into contact with scalding hot water while taking out your radiator. Start by turning off your central heating system and allowing it to cool down completely.
Next, locate the two radiator valves situated at each end of the radiator. One of these will be the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), which is the valve you use to control the temperature of the radiator. Turn the TRV clockwise to the zero or off position. The other valve is called the lockshield valve, and it will be vertical while the TRV is usually horizontal.
Remove the plastic cap from the lockshield valve and locate the small spindle inside. Using a wrench or an adjustable spanner, turn the lockshield valve clockwise until it is closed. Take note of the number of turns it takes to close the valve, as this will help you reset your radiator to the correct pressure when you replace it.
After closing the valves, you can open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator using a radiator bleed key or a flathead screwdriver. This will release any trapped air and remaining water from the radiator. Place a bowl or container underneath the valve to catch any water that comes out. Once the radiator is fully drained, you can proceed to disconnect it from the radiator pipes.
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Drain the radiator
Before you start draining your electric radiator, it is important to turn off your central heating and let the water in the system cool down. This is to ensure that if you come into contact with any water while draining, it won't be scalding hot.
First, locate the drain valve at the bottom of your radiator. It will look like a small tap. Place a bucket, bowl, or container underneath the radiator valve to catch any water that comes out. Then, use an adjustable spanner to open the valve. Gently loosen the nut which joins it to the radiator. You might need to use some force to get it started, but be careful not to strip the threading. Just turn it until the water starts coming out, and then close it again once the radiator is empty.
Next, use your radiator bleed key to open the bleed valve, which is usually located at the top of the radiator. You might need to use a screwdriver to do this. You should hear a hissing sound as any air in the radiator is expelled from the pressurised heating system. Water will start coming out after, so make sure your container is in place.
With the valves disconnected, tilt the radiator towards the bucket or container. This will drain the water that’s sitting at the bottom of the radiator. If your radiator is particularly large or heavy, make sure you have some help with lifting.
Finally, once the water has finished draining, close the bleed valve using your radiator key and then dry off any remaining water from around the valve.
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Disconnect the radiator from the pipes
Before disconnecting the radiator from the pipes, you must ensure that the radiator is off and has cooled down. Turn the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) to the zero or off position. The valve on the other side of the radiator is the lock shield valve. Remove the plastic cap from the lock shield and locate the small spindle inside. Using a wrench, turn the lock-shield valve clockwise until it is closed.
Place a bowl or container underneath the radiator valve to catch any water that comes out. Use an adjustable spanner or a screwdriver to gently loosen the nut which joins the valve to the radiator. You might need to use some force to get it started, but be careful not to strip the threading. Just turn it until water starts coming out, and then close it again once the radiator is empty.
Now that your radiator is empty, you can start to disconnect it from the radiator pipes. The pipe removal process will be different depending on the kind of pipework your radiator is connected to. If your radiator is connected to copper pipes, then you’ll need to use a pipe wrench to loosen the nuts which join it to the pipes. For plastic pipework, you can usually just gently pull the radiator away from the pipes.
Don't forget to tilt the radiator once it’s been disconnected to allow for any remaining water to flow out.
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Remove the radiator from the wall
Removing a radiator from the wall can be a straightforward process, but it is important to take precautions and follow the proper procedures. Here is a detailed guide on how to safely remove an electric radiator from your wall:
Before starting, ensure you have the necessary tools, such as a wrench, a screwdriver, a bowl or container, and towels. It is also recommended to have another person assist you, especially when handling a heavy radiator.
Begin by turning off your central heating system and allowing it to cool down completely. This is important to avoid any contact with scalding hot water. Locate the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) on the radiator and turn it to the zero or off position. This valve is typically identified as the knob on the side with numbers. Opposite the TRV is another valve called the lockshield valve. Remove the plastic cap from the lockshield valve and locate the small spindle inside. Using a wrench, turn the lockshield valve clockwise until it is closed. Count the number of turns it takes, as this will help you reset the radiator's pressure when you reinstall it.
Place a bowl or container underneath the radiator valve to catch any water or sludge that may come out. Use an adjustable wrench or pliers to slowly loosen the nut that connects the valve to the radiator. Be careful not to strip the threading, and only loosen it enough for the water to start flowing. Once water begins to flow, close the valve again to prevent excessive water release.
Now, use a radiator bleed key or a screwdriver to open the bleed valve, usually located at the top of the radiator. You may hear a hissing sound, which indicates that air is being released from the pressurised heating system. Water may also start to come out, so ensure your container is in place to catch it. Once the air has been released and only a small amount of water is coming out, close and tighten the bleed valve.
Repeat the previous step on the other side of the radiator to ensure it is completely drained. After draining, disconnect the radiator from the radiator pipes. If your radiator is connected to copper pipes, use a pipe wrench to loosen the nuts. For plastic pipework, gently pull the radiator away from the pipes. Tilt the radiator once it's been disconnected to allow any remaining water to flow out.
With the radiator fully drained and disconnected, you can now lift it off its brackets and remove it from the wall. Remember to have a container nearby to catch any excess water or sludge that may be stuck in the bottom of the radiator.
Removing your radiator from the wall can provide benefits such as better access for painting or renovating, improved heating efficiency, or simply freeing up wall space for a streamlined aesthetic.
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Frequently asked questions
It is generally recommended to clean your radiator while it is assembled. However, if you do want to take it apart, you can remove the side panels and top grid, which sometimes have a clip in the middle holding them on. Then, you can vacuum the inside.
Before removing your radiator, switch off your central heating and let the system cool down. Then, turn the thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) to the zero or off position. Remove the plastic cap from the lock shield valve on the other side of the radiator and locate the small spindle inside. Using a wrench, turn the lock-shield valve clockwise until it is closed. Place a bowl below the valve and drain the radiator. Loosen hose clips and ease off the hoses. You can now remove the radiator brackets.
You will need a wrench, a screwdriver, a radiator bleed key, water pump pliers, and a container to catch water.
