Are you a UK home owner tackling home maintenance or midway through a room renovation? It’s common to stumble across the issue on how to move a radiator from either a wall or to a new position in the room.
In this blog our team of experts at Bathroom Takeaway have joined together to write a simple guide on how to get your DIY on and move a radiator in your home.
What Should I Consider When Moving A Radiator's Position?
When thinking about how to move a radiator to another wall it’s key to consider these key points:
- Measure up the radiator to see if it fits in its new position
- Ensure the wall has no electrics/pipes that could prevent it being fitted
- Ensure you have help on hand to move the radiator
- Place a dust sheet or floor protector down on the floor to protect your flooring.
Moving a radiator to a new wall in a room can be a complex job, so if you are unsure on what to do, don’t hesitate in contacting a professional to ensure any DIY failures.
How Should You Take A Radiator Off The Wall
Whether you are wanting to move a radiator a few inches or wondering how to move a cast iron radiator to another wall these simple steps must be followed to firstly remove it off the wall.
- Switch Off Your Heating System - Firstly turn off your heating system and leave for 10-15 mins to cool down.
- Isolate The Radiator - Turn the valve off, then use a spanner to close the lockshield by turning it clockwise. To reinstall the radiator at original pressure, use an adjustable wrench to turn the valve clockwise, counting the number of turns.
- Drain The Radiator - Place a bowl under the valve you intend to drain first, then place one cloth around the valve body. Loosen the valve body, and a second wrench to disconnect the nut that joins the radiator to the valve. This will allow the water to drain out of the system and into the bowl.
- Loosen The Other Valve - When the water flow stops do the same on the other side of the radiator.
- Disconnect Valves - Once the water stops draining, detach the radiator from the nuts on both sides of the radiator and remove off the wall.
For a more indepth breakdown on how to move a heavy radiator off the wall take a look at our blog for more information.
Can I Move A Radiator Without Draining A System?
Here is a simple quick breakdown on how to do it.
- Step 1 - Shut the valves located on both ends of the radiator.
- Step 2 -To completely drain the radiator, unscrew the nut located beneath the valve and allow the water to flow out.
- Step 3 - Detach the valve and radiator from the wall brackets.
- Step 4 -Tilt the radiator to the side to allow any leftover water to drain out.
- Step 5 - After installing the new pipework at the radiator's new position, you can mount the radiator on the wall and reopen the valves.
- Step 6 -Open the radiator's bleed valve to release any trapped air.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take To Move A Radiator?
Typically, relocating a radiator takes 2-5 hours. However, more complex jobs or those requiring additional work may take longer. Nevertheless, most radiator moves can be finished in a single day.
Can I Move A Radiator Pipe?
If you need to relocate a radiator pipe, working with a plumber to move your existing pipework will likely be less time-consuming and complex than installing entirely new pipework.
How To Move A Radiator With Plastic Pipes
Relocating radiators with flexible pipes involves just a few additional steps. First, drain the radiator. Once empty, disconnect the flexible pipes from the radiator, then cap the pipe ends using push-fit stop ends. Finally, tuck the capped pipes back into the wall.
How To Move A Radiator With A Combi Boiler
Luckily this is very similar. First, check the water pressure at the combi-boiler - it should be between 0.5 and 1.5 Bar. Next, turn off both valves on the selected radiator, making a note of how many turns it takes. Finally, remove the radiator.
How To Move A Radiator To Paint Behind It
There are tools out there to be able to paint behind your radiator but if the space is too tight or you are struggling we suggest following the steps above and leaving the paint to completely dry before placing it back on.
How To Move A Radiator With Flexible Pipes
Relocating radiators with flexible pipes involves a few additional steps. First, drain the radiator as usual. Once empty, disconnect the flexible pipes from the radiator and cap them off using push-fit stop ends. Then, tuck the pipes back into the wall. Finally, consult a plumber to have the flexible pipes properly installed in the new radiator location.
How To Move A Radiator On A Concrete Floor?
If you have a radiator which is placed on a concrete floor, apart from being careful and placing towels to rest the radiator on, we would suggest calling a professional if the pipework merges into the concrete floor.
