How to Remove a Radiator from the Wall in Five Easy Steps (Illustrated)

1. 1

   If you have a thermostatic valve, turn it all the way off. A thermostatic valve is a small dial on the top of newer temperature valves that twists to set the temperature, usually on a scale of 0-10 degrees Celsius. If your radiator has a thermostatic valve, turn the dial to 0 or "off." "The temperature valves are always located at the bottom of the radiator, usually on the left." [1]1

   • A standard radiator has two valves: a temperature valve and a lockshield valve. The temperature valve is typically located on the left, while the lockshield is a symmetrical valve located on the right. The lockshield valve maintains pressure and always has a plastic or metal cap on top.
   • You have a manual valve if you don't have a thermostatic valve.
   • A temperature valve is also known as a control valve. It is used to control the amount of heat emitted by a radiator.

2. 2

   If there is no thermostatic valve, close a manual valve with a wrench or your hand. If your temperature valve lacks a dial, look for a nut or handle on a vertical screw at the top of the vertical pipe. This is the radiator's manual control. Check to see if it closes by turning it clockwise. If it doesn't, force it all the way to the right with a wrench or channel locks to close the valve. [2]1

   • The manual valve may have a handle on top. If there isn't one, you can probably borrow a hose spigot handle. The bolts are frequently the same size.
   • Manual valves are common in older radiators.

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3. 3

   With a wrench or pliers, close the lockshield valve and count the turns. The valve unit is located at the bottom of the radiator on the opposite side of the temperature valve. The lockshield valve is located here. Remove the valve's cap and set it aside. Turn the nut on the screw sticking out on top all the way to the right with a wrench or pliers. Count the number of times you turn the nut so you can reinstall it the same number of times. [3]1

   • While some radiators have manual valves and others have thermostatic valves for temperature control, almost all radiators have a lockshield valve.
   • A screw may connect your cap to the lockshield valve. If there is, simply use a screwdriver to turn it counterclockwise until it is completely removed. Then, take off the cap.

   The temperature valve regulates how much heat the radiator emits at any given time. The lockshield valve regulates the pressure in the pipes. Knowing how many times you turned it will assist you in maintaining the same pressure when reinstalling the radiator.

4. 4

   If the radiator is hot, wait 10-15 minutes for it to cool. Allow the radiator to cool slightly before handling it. The chances are that it has cooled significantly since you began closing the valves, but it can't hurt to wait a little longer.

   • As you wait for your radiator to cool, you may hear it crackle. This isn't anything to worry about.

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1. 1

   Obtain a radiator key and place a bowl beneath the bleed valve. Most radiators come with a key, but if you don't have one, you can get one at a hardware store. The bleed valve is located near the top of the radiator on either the left or right side, and it has a small vertical slot on top of a cap. Place a bowl or bucket beneath the valve to catch the water that will leak when you bleed it. [4]

   • The amount of water that comes out is determined by the last time the radiator was bled. It is usually no more than 2-3 c (470-710 mL).
   • Bleeding is necessary because it removes water from the radiator. If you remove the radiator while it still has water in it, it may spill everywhere.
   • Maintain a cloth or towel nearby. Throw it over your shoulder or place it on top of the radiator. When you open the radiator, some steam may shoot up if the pressure is extremely high. If so, cover it with a cloth or towel.

   Radiator keys are typically less than a few dollars. If you don't have a key, you might be able to use a flathead screwdriver.

2. 2

   Turn the radiator key counterclockwise in the bleed valve. Place the bucket beneath the valve. To open the valve, insert the key into the slot and turn it counterclockwise. As the water begins to pour out of the bleed valve, you may hear steam or clicking. [5]1

   • Hold the cloth over the top of the valve to redirect the water downwards while absorbing some of it if steam or water shoots out the top of the radiator.
   • If you can't find the bleed valve, look for a small cap with a single groove on the side of your radiator.

3. 3

   Catch any water that leaks from the bleed valve. Move the bowl or bucket as the radiator empties to catch all of the water that falls out. Allow the radiator to cool down. Water can be poured for as few as 10 seconds or as long as 5 minutes. It is dependent on how long it has been since the last bleeding. [6]1

4. 4

   After the water has stopped, give the radiator 2 minutes to let the steam out. Wait 1-2 minutes after the water stops coming out of the bleed valve. Even if you don't see anything coming out, it's a good idea to let the steam and moist air escape from the top of your radiator, especially if you're not going to reinstall it. [7]

   • The air in the radiator is not toxic, so don't be concerned if it smells strange. It has most likely been trapped in your pipes for a long time.

5. 5

   Turn the key clockwise to close the radiator bleed valve. Replace the screwdriver or key in the slot on top of the bleed valve. Close it by turning it clockwise. Continue turning it until you feel resistance and it will no longer close. [8]1

   • If there is moisture on the valve's surface, pat it dry with a towel or cloth.

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1. 1

   Locate the nut located between the temperature valve and the radiator body. The temperature control valve has two pipes: one horizontal pipe coming from the radiator and one vertical pipe coming from your floor. Find a nut on the horizontal pipe that connects your radiator to the other pipe. [9]1

   • There will be no pipes in the floor if you have a newer model that runs into the wall. The steps are identical, but the vertical pipe will bend back into the wall.

   Warning: If the radiator is not mounted on the wall, it is supported by the legs. Even if they appear to be embedded in the floor, they are not. However, because these radiators are typically heavy and made of cast iron, they must be moved with assistance.

2. 2

   Place a bowl beneath the temperature joint you're about to unscrew. While you've removed a significant amount of water, the pressure in your radiator has dropped, so there will be water at the bottom. Before you begin unscrewing the nut, place a small bowl under the joint to catch any water that falls. [10]1

   • If you want, you can place a thick towel underneath the entire radiator.

3. 3

   Maintain the nut on the vertical pipe by holding it still with a wrench. It is very easy to twist the nut right under the valve on the vertical pipe by accident. The valve is closed, but if you unscrew the nut on the vertical pipe, the pressure will be released. This could have disastrous consequences. To keep the other nut from moving, use a pair of channel locks or a wrench to hold it in place while you unscrew the other nut. [11]1

   • You're always bracing the outermost nut and unscrewing the nut in between the vertical pipe and the radiator, whether you're on the left or right.

4. 4

   Twist the nut in the middle with a wrench or channel locks. Grip the nut tightly with the jaws of your wrench or channel locks on opposite sides. If the nut is on the radiator's left side, begin loosening it by pushing downwards while rotating the nut. Start loosening the nut by pushing upwards if it is on the right side. [12]1

   • This nut was most likely not rotated since the radiator was installed. It may be stiff and difficult to move.
   • While doing this, try to keep the nut on the vertical pipe braced without shaking the pipe.

5. 5

   Allow the valve to drain for 2-3 minutes after loosening the nut completely. Continue to turn the nut until it freely spins. Drop the wrench or channel locks and spin it by hand to loosen it completely. Separate the two pipes by moving the vertical pipe 1-2 in (2 cm). 5–5 1 cm) from the radiator to allow the pipe to drain into your bowl. [13]

   • You don't want to yank on the vertical pipe, but moving it slowly won't harm the pipes.
   • If the vertical pipe is braced into the ground by a fitting, unscrew the nut on the opposite side and rotate each vertical pipe away from the radiator to release the pipes.

6. 6

   Rep with the lockshield valve, twisting in the opposite direction. Once the temperature valve has drained, empty your bowl and place it under the junction on the opposite side of your lockshield valve. Brace the nut on the vertical pipe, then use your channel locks or wrench to grip the nut on the horizontal pipe. Repeat the process with this nut, allowing it to drain before removing it. [14]

   • To remove the first nut, twist in the opposite direction you turned it. So, if you moved down to loosen the first nut, move up to loosen this nut.
   • To remove the vertical pipe, pull it away from the radiator.
   • Allow 2-3 minutes for the lockshield valve to drain.

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1. 1

   Pull the pipes coming out of the floor as far away from the radiator as possible. Although it may be difficult to completely separate the pipes, you can make things easier by pulling the vertical pipes away from the radiator to separate the two pipes on the bottom of each side. Pull each vertical pipe away from the radiator to give the radiator body some slack. [15]

   • Use no tools to remove the pipes.

2. 2

   Place a bucket on the floor and tilt your radiator into it. When you've lifted your radiator, tilt the opening into a bucket to drain it completely. Place a large bucket on the floor, but away from the radiator so you don't trip over it.

3. 3

   Lift and slide the radiator out while tilting the opening up. You can do this on your own if you have a newer, thinner radiator. If you have an older radiator, you will most likely require the assistance of at least one other person. Take both sides of the radiator and lift it 0 5-1 in (1 3–2 5 cm) vertically to disconnect it from the wall Turn one side away from the wall while holding the other end in place while it is in the air. [16]1

   • It makes no difference which side you pivot out from first. Raise whichever side you took out first by 1-2 inches (2 cm). 5–5 Despite this,

   Warning: Doing this on your own can be difficult, especially if your radiator is old and heavy. You don't have much room to raise and slide the radiator. Proceed with caution and seek assistance if the radiator proves too cumbersome.

4. 4

   Tilt the radiator up, then slide the opposite side out. Raise the open side slightly with one side pulled out to keep the water inside the radiator. Pull the other end of the pipe out and away from the pipe to slide the other pipe off. [17]

5. 5

   Empty the radiator into a bucket to remove any sludge that has accumulated at the bottom. When you've removed the radiator from both pipes, tip one of the openings into your bucket. There will almost certainly be some black or brown sludge coming out of the radiator. Allow this to drain into your bucket. [18]1

   • The sludge coming out of the radiator is residue from the pipe coating. It is not toxic, but it will most likely be unpleasant. Keep it away from your floor, as sludge stains can be difficult to remove.

6. 6

   To prevent more water from leaking out, store the radiator upside down. When your radiator is turned off, turn it upside down so that the pipe openings are at the top. If you intend to store the radiator away from the pipes for an extended period of time, keep it upside-down to prevent any leftover moisture from dripping onto the floor. [19]1

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