Top Tips for Removing a Radiator

If you need to start removing a radiator, you’re probably already aware that it’s going to be a difficult task, and you will probably have to get an expert in at some point. However, it’s one of the less complicated tasks around the home, and if you follow our tips for removing a radiator, it should all go swimmingly.

Getting Started

First of all, we have to locate three things on the radiator, and they are the bleed valve, the lockshield valve, and the manual control valve.
The Bleed Valve is what you use to release air that is trapped in the radiator, whereas the Manual Control Valve controls the temperature of the radiator. The Bleed Valve is usually at the top right or left of the radiator, while the Manual Control Valve is usually bottom right, below the bleed.

Lockshield Valve

The Lockshield Valve is the other side of the Manual Control Valve, and is usually covered with a plastic cap.
First of all, turn the Manual Control Valve clockwise until it is tight, and then remove the cap from the Lockshield Valve, using a spanner to turn the spindle clockwise.

Remember This When Removing A Radiator

This step is important: note how many turns it takes you to close it, so that you can reverse this procedure later.

Prepare the area now, so that if there are any spills, your carpet is protected. Place a bowl under the Manual Control Valve, and use a bleed key to loosen the Bleed Valve. Once the water has stopped flowing from the bleed valve, move the bowl underneath the Manual Control Valve (you may want to empty it now, of course).

Loosen the nut that holds the Manual Control Valve onto the radiator, while holding the valve itself down with another spanner. Water will escape once you loosen this valve, so be ready to tighten it again if the bowl fills up.

Once the water has stopped flowing from this valve, do the same on the Lockshield Valve, loosening the nut that holds it onto the radiator.
You should now be able to lift the radiator off the wall supports, and have a large bucket ready for any remaining water.

Putting The Radiator Back

When putting the radiator back, remember the number of turns you took earlier on the Lockshield Valve, as you’ll be doing that in reverse. Also, take care with trapped air as the radiator fills up, you may need to loosen the Bleed Valve again.

Need A Plumber?

So there you are – of course, we recommend that you get an expert in, but removing a radiator shouldn’t really pose you too many problems. If it does, have the number of a plumber handy!

Author Profile: Jayne Ball is a home repair expert at In Home 24, a leading plumbing, electrical and gas boiler maintenance business in the South-East of England: http://www.in-home24.co.uk