C/H Draining?

[stgiles]

Hi all,

I need to remove a radiator and fabricate new pipework for a new towel rail. There is no sufficient space on the pipes to freeze them so i am contemplating on draining half of the system. Is it better to drain the whole system? and if i get any air locks then whats the best way to get rid of them?. The rad is upstairs and its a gravity fed boiler/ indirect system.

Many thanks

 

[oldie]

I'm not a plumber by any means, but one tip I got from a Gas Board Plumber is a little tool used by them that saves draining down, unfortunatly Plumbers and Plumbing suppliers that I have spoken to had never heard of these things before, so I would be also intrerested in what the real Plumbers on here think. They are a couple of tapered rubber plugs that you fit in the ends of the feed and expansion pipes of the header tank, this creates a vacum in the system( providing you have no other leaks) that allows you to remove valves pipes etc with minimal weepage of water.As with all things don't go at it like a mad man but work gently and the amount of water releast can be containd by a bit of toweling. Anyway the Company that supplies this bit of kit is called " Tool Station " it has about 50 odd branches around the UK so Google for your local one ,or order by Phone The kit is called Radiator Valve Change Kit. it COSTS £11.76 with FREE P/P and it's on page number 328 of their latest cataloge and the part number is 31768

Best of luck
oldie

 

[helpsy]

You can get the rad valve change kit from many places, also get a tray like a deep paint roller one to place under the valve etc and some dust sheets.I'm new in the trade and used them quite often, saves a lot of work/problems.Just take your time and only disconnect 1 valve at a time with them closed off and make sure you close the new ones before fitting.

 

[stevetheplumber]

I'm not a plumber by any means, but one tip I got from a Gas Board Plumber is a little tool used by them that saves draining down, unfortunatly Plumbers and Plumbing suppliers that I have spoken to had never heard of these things before, so I would be also intrerested in what the real Plumbers on here think. They are a couple of tapered rubber plugs that you fit in the ends of the feed and expansion pipes of the header tank, this creates a vacum in the system( providing you have no other leaks) that allows you to remove valves pipes etc with minimal weepage of water.As with all things don't go at it like a mad man but work gently and the amount of water releast can be containd by a bit of toweling. Anyway the Company that supplies this bit of kit is called " Tool Station " it has about 50 odd branches around the UK so Google for your local one ,or order by Phone The kit is called Radiator Valve Change Kit. it COSTS £11.76 with FREE P/P and it's on page number 328 of their latest cataloge and the part number is 31768

Best of luck
oldie

only realy good for changing valveswouldnt use them for altering pipework
yes you can partialy drain a system best way on domestic it fit the hose tight on the drain of and keep it up to roughly the level you need i usually loop it up over the back door then down to the drain or floort hen just open the upstairs vents