Methods for Radiator Removal When Redecorating

Removing a radiator for decorating may appear to be a difficult task, but it is actually quite simple. Not only is it simple, but if we use this method, we can save money on our heating bills while also protecting our radiators from leaks.

So, before we begin our task, we should pause to ask ourselves a few questions.

The first question we should ask is whether or not our radiator will survive this process.  

The good news is that the vast majority of radiators are so simple to remove and replace that there won't be any issues. If, on the other hand, the radiator is particularly old, we may have a good opportunity to replace it with a more modern radiator that provides a higher heat output for the space it occupies. Our radiators are visible. here

The following question is: can I save money by removing the radiator from the wall?

This is frequently the case, especially when manual radiator valves are present and can be replaced. radiator thermostatic valves or intelligent radiator valves , as these will typically pay for themselves over time while also saving money and benefiting the environment.  

Don't worry if you're unsure about valves or what to buy; we've prepared a guide to help. blog covering everything you need to know about these critical technologies radiator components

But, assuming you're satisfied with your radiator and valves, let's talk about how to remove a radiator from the wall. We'll also go over some different types of radiators.  

How to Remove an Electric Radiator

This one can be tricky, and it is not recommended that you attempt it on your own.

Because there will be special fluid inside the radiator, we cannot simply remove the element and allow the radiator to drain. Furthermore, even if replacement fluid is available, it is not recommended that you do so.

To completely remove the element from the wall, we would need to disconnect it from the power supply, which would require the assistance of a professional.

You might be tempted to detach the radiator from the wall and place it on the ground if the cable is long enough, but this may interfere with your work. It's also prone to being knocked around, which could damage the cable or element.  

We recommend that you always have a professional do this for you: someone who can disconnect the element at the power supply. This allows you to safely remove a radiator from the wall while retaining the fluid and without damaging the radiator or element. It shouldn't be a difficult or expensive task, but better safe than sorry.

How to Remove a Dual Fuel Radiator

This differs slightly from the Electric Radiator. Our recommendation for this is that you get a professional to disconnect the element from the electricity supply in the wall so the element remains attached to the radiator

This allows you to treat the dual fuel radiator like a central heating radiator, allowing you to proceed with the section below.

How to Remove a Central Heating Radiator

There are two ways to remove the radiator from the wall. The first is the more common method of draining the water from the radiator, and the second is a more clever method that does not lose any water from the system. You may have seen videos online of someone removing a radiator without losing water, balancing it, flipping it upside down, removing it from the wall, and still losing half the water. However, there is a much simpler way to accomplish this.

How to Remove a Radiator Without Draining (Ingenious Method)

The advantage of this method is that we will not only avoid the need for system topping up or anything like that, but we will also protect against leaks, which can occasionally occur when reattaching the radiator (don't worry, this is normal). We discuss how to repair these leaks if they occur.)

Make sure you have the following items on hand:

• Big Bucket
• Something flat and deep to catch the water, such as a paint tray, an old oven dish, or tupperware
• Spanner Adjustable
• A few old towels
• Key for Bleed/Radiator (For Key Type)
• Screwdriver (depending on the type of bracket)

It's also a good idea to have some PTFE plumbers tape on hand, but we won't need it until we show you how to reattach a radiator to a wall.

Purchase and install an Isolator as the first step.

The first thing we want to do is get an isolator. They are extremely useful devices that can be installed in a matter of minutes.

The isolators we recommend are the Isolators Aladdin EasyFit They are designed to fit 15mm pipes, but any isolator that fits your pipe size will suffice. Install them and toggle them to the "off" position.

If you don't want to install an isolator, skip to the next section, "How to Drain a Radiator."

Step 2: Close the valves.

You may have several different configurations.

A lockshield valve is commonly used in conjunction with a manual or thermostatic radiator valve. However, in some cases, a manual valve replaces the lockshield valve.

Valve Lockshield

The important part is that when you turn off this valve, you must count the number of times. r of turns This is due to the fact that it must be restored exactly as it was when we began.

Sometimes valves can simply be turned off, but other times they must be removed and turned off with a spanner. Clockwis e (righty tighty) is off, and this is frequently only a half turn.

Handheld Valves

Turn off the manual valves and remember their settings. Clockwise (righty tighty) is incorrect.

Valves with Thermostatic Control

For TRVs, remove the thermostatic radiator valve head (usually just unscrew it) and use the decorators cap that came with it to turn it completely off (little plastic cap) by turning it clockwise (righty tighty).

If you don't have a decorator's cap, we can still remove the radiator from the wall without causing too much water damage. Simply turn the TRV off as far as it will go.

Step 3: Remove any retaining screws.

This is only necessary when removing heated towel rails or some radiators.

Keep these somewhere safe. It's a good idea to use tape to secure them to the brackets.

Step 4: Get ready for water

While we have taken every precaution to avoid spilling any water, it is always a good idea to place some old towels near the valves and have the bucket and small tray for catching water ready and available.

Step 5: Remove union nuts.

Because we have isolators in place and the valves are closed, we can now unscrew the bottom union nut on the valve with the adjustable screwdriver, as shown in the images below.

This means we'll be removing the radiator from the wall while the valves remain attached.

Step 6: Remove the radiator and the towel rail.

Because the radiator will be filled with water, this step may require two people depending on its size.

The radiator/towel rail will either pull away from the wall (if you had to remove the small screws in step 3 above) or it will lift up and off.

DO NOT rest the radiator on the valves when putting it down. To protect the valves from damage, turn it upside down with the valves facing up in the air.

It is also a good idea to place it on some soft material to avoid damaging the radiator's finish.

Step 7: Decorate/Perform any necessary tasks.

Now that we've removed the radiator from the wall, you can decorate or do whatever you need to do.

Step 8: Installing a Radiator

When your decorating or maintenance work is finished, it's time to hang your rad again. To accomplish this, we basically reverse the steps we've already gone over. Here's how it's done:

• Replace the radiator on the brackets.
• Tighten the valves' union nuts.

• Replace any retaining screws on the brackets (you may have taped these to the brackets as suggested to make them easier to find).
• Prepare for water by laying down towels and having a bucket ready.
• Reset the Valves - Return the lockshield valve to its original position (remember, we counted the turns earlier) and turn on the radiator manual/thermostatic valve to the desired temperature (number).
• Switch the isolators to the "on" position.

If there is a leak, tighten the union nuts above, and if that does not work, turn the isolators to the "off" position and read our instructions. Blog on how to repair a leaking radiator

Open the radiator bleed valve (lefty loosey) until water comes out and then tighten it (righty tighty) using the radiator bleed key or screwdriver, depending on the valve type, and a towel in hand. And if you require assistance with your radiators should be bled We also have a blog for that. Simply navigate to the Advisory Service  

Draining a Radiator

Make sure you know how to top up the water in your system before we do this method, as we will lose a lot of water and potentially impact the pressure and functionality of your system. If you're unsure, the section above titled 'Removing a Radiator Without Draining (Clever Way)' will show you how to do it without losing any water, eliminating the need to top up your system.

Check that you have the following items on hand:

• 2 large buckets are recommended
• Something flat and deep to catch the water, such as a paint tray, an old oven dish, or tupperware
• Spanner Adjustable
• A few old towels
• Key for Bleed/Radiator (For Key Type)
• Screwdriver (depending on the type of bracket)

It's also a good idea to have PTFE plumbers tape on hand, but we won't need it until we show you how to reattach a radiator to a wall.

Step 1: Close the valves.

You may have several different configurations. Commonly you will have a lockshield valve with either a manual or thermostatic radiator valve, however sometimes there is a manual valve in place of the lockshield valve

Valve Lockshield

The important part is that when you turn this valve off, you must count the number of turns. This is due to the fact that everything must be restored exactly as it was when we began.

Some valves are simply turned off, but others require you to remove the valve's head/cap and turn it off with a spanner. Clockwise (righty tighty) is off, and this is often only a half turn.

Handheld Valves

Simply turn off the manual valves and remember their settings. Clockwise (righty tighty) is incorrect.

Thermostatic Valves

Remove the thermostatic radiator valve head (usually by simply unscrewing it) and use the decorators cap that came with it to turn it completely off (little plastic cap) by turning it clockwise (righty tighty).

If you do not have the decorators cap, the valve will continue to release water even after the radiator has been removed. If this is the case, you will need to purchase and install an isolator

Our top picks for isolators are the Aladdin ones They are designed to fit 15mm pipes, but any isolator that fits your pipe size will suffice.  

If you have the decorators cap, proceed to step 2.

Step 2: Remove any retaining screws.

This is only necessary when removing heated towel rails or some radiators.

Keep these somewhere safe - a good idea is to use tape to attach them to the brackets.

Step 3 - Get Ready for Water

Place some old towels near the valves and prepare your bucket and small container.

A 1600mm x 476mm radiator, for example, can hold 20 litres, whereas some of our towel rails only hold 2 or 3 litres. Just be aware that a large amount of water may flow out, and having two large buckets and a helper on hand is a good idea.

Otherwise, step 5 will require you to re-insert the radiator tail every time the bucket is full in order to stop the flow of water.

Step 4: Loosen the union nut.

Loosen the union nut on the valve highlighted in the image below with an adjustable spanner. Ideally, this will be done on the flow in so that we can ensure the valve that feeds water is completely closed.

Step 6: Remove the radiator tail.

Start unscrewing the next hex shown with the arrow in the image below with the adjustable spanner; you may need to hold the valve with a grip to do this.

The water will be released once it is unscrewed far enough, so have a bucket ready.

Step 7: Remove the radiator.

The water should now drain from the radiator and stop when it reaches the bottom.

If water comes out of the valve, make sure it is properly turned off using the previous steps.

If the water continues to drain from the radiator, the valve on the other side is most likely still open. As per the previous steps, ensure that this is turned off. Once drained, ensure that the valve is completely disconnected from the radiator.

Step 8: Unplug the other valve.

Loosen the union nut on the opposite valve.

Unscrew the next hex shown with the arrow on the image below with the adjustable spanner; you may need to hold the valve with a grip to do this. Continue doing so until the valve is disconnected from the radiator.

Step 9: Remove Radiator / Towel Rail

Depending on the size of your radiator, you may need two people to remove it. If you had to remove the small screws in step 2 above, the radiator/towel rail will either pull away from the wall or lift up and off.

It's also a good idea to put it down on some soft material to avoid damaging the finish of the radiator.

Step 10 - Decorate/Perform any necessary tasks

Now that the radiator has been removed from the wall, it is time to decorate or do whatever else you require.

Step 11: Installing a Radiator

Once everything is finished, it's time to put your rad back up on the wall. To accomplish this, we basically reverse the steps outlined above:

• Reattach the radiator to the brackets.
• Reattach the radiator tails by tightening the Hex screws.

• Replace any retaining screws on the brackets (you may have taped these to the brackets as suggested to make them easier to find).
• Prepare for water by laying down towels and having a bucket ready.
• Reset the Valves - Return the lockshield valve to its original position (remember, we counted the turns earlier) and turn on the radiator manual/thermostatic valve to the desired temperature (number). If you used a decorator cap instead of an isolator and had a thermostatic radiator valve, you would need to remove the decorator cap and reattach the thermostatic radiator valve head.
• Turn the isolators to the on position if you used them.

If there is a leak, try tightening the union nuts and hex above. If that doesn't work, turn the valves off (and/or use an isolator if you used one) and follow our instructions. How to Repair a Leaky Radiator blog

If there are no leaks, open the radiator bleed valve (lefty loosey) until water comes out and then tighten it (righty tighty) using the radiator bleed key or screwdriver, depending on the valve type, and a towel in hand. See our blog for more information on bleeding radiators. radiator bleeders  

Finally, because we lost so much water using this method, we may need to replenish the system. You will need to consult your boiler manual for instructions. It is also a good idea to consider adding an inhibitor (special fluid) to your system at this point to protect against corrosion, sludge, limescale, and other issues.

It's time to turn on the heat.

If all goes well, your decorating is finished, you've learned how to remove a radiator, and your heating is back on with no leaks.

Show off your radiator if you've done a fantastic DIY job. We'd love to hear your thoughts on Facebook or Instagram , and we may even feature your work on our page.