probably a dumb question!

[JJarms]

Hi there,
Just joined the forum and wondered if anyone could advise me?
I want to remove an old radiator permanately from the bathroom.
The heating is off a gas combi (vaillant 835) my question is :
Is it as simple as freezing the pipes and capping with compression fittings?..ie will there be any probs after they are capped for the system? apart from topping up the boiler for any pressure lost?

As I said probably a dumb question...but if you don't ask etc!
thanks for any advice
cheers Jim

 

[secret squirrel]

Thats one way of doing it but there are many ways to do this.

I personally don't like freezing, make sure the heating has been off for a good while so the water in the pipes is cold, make sure you've got everything you need and to hand. When water is coming through its too late to worry then.

Have a couple of plastic stop ends in arms reach you can then quickly cap off the pipes if it takes longer than you think it will.

Do one then the next, don't freeze them both at the same time.

 

[smoggs03]

yeah i would do it squirrels way apart from my total mistrust of push fit, compression everytime

 

[P4ULT]

surely its got to be easier to drain the system

 

[secret squirrel]

I wouldn't say easier but certainly safer, I must admit every time I have frozen a pipe or created a vacuum. I don't relax, if the pipe is frozen I'm up against a clock which I don't like. Sends shivers down my spine constantly

 

[JJarms]

thanks for the replies chaps!
The reason I was thinking of freezing rather than draining the system is that we also have underfloor heating in the other part of the house. Not being a plumber I really only have a limited knowledge of basic plumbing. Needless to say I don't know how the UH works in unison with the central heating system properly..so I don't really want to drain everything down when I don't know how it all works and definately don't wan't to create problems with the UH (the pipework in the boiler cupboard looks very complicated to me!)...thing is I can't find a plumber for love nor money who is available (or wants!) to come out to cap 1 radiator!..fair enough really!..could anyone enlighten me as to the basics of the underfloor system and how it relates to boiler/central heating..I'd be really interested to know!..cheers Jim

I wouldn't say easier but certainly safer, I must admit every time I have frozen a pipe or created a vacuum. I don't relax, if the pipe is frozen I'm up against a clock which I don't like. Sends shivers down my spine constantly

I know what you mean..I'm a bit fearful of it myself!...I reckon a bit of the old boy scouts 'Be prepared' is the order of the day!

 

[secret squirrel]

I'm not an expert on underfloor heating so I'd wait for a couple more replies and without seeing the pipework first hand I'm a bit blind. Excuses out of the way. Being a combi boiler I think that draining the system is the same as any other combi system.

If the rad is upstairs you could try partially draining the system.

All that said if you can't get a plumber out to do the job, you've got no choice stick to your original plan but have everything to hand.

Are you cutting the pipe below the floorboards or just taking the rad valve off?

If your cutting to below the floor board make sure you have a pipe slice, don't use a hacksaw you'll struggle to get a good cut which may take extra time fitting on the end cap.

 

[stevetheplumber]

its unlikley that the underfloor will drain as is usually lower than the drain off or you can keep the hose up to only part drain down to below the level your working at
i suspect when you say for love nor money you mean for a small enough amount of money id be round in a flash for 75 quid

 

[danielp]

or why dont you turn the 2 valves on the manifold off then water isnt geting out

 

[secret squirrel]

its unlikley that the underfloor will drain as is usually lower than the drain off or you can keep the hose up to only part drain down to below the level your working at
i suspect when you say for love nor money you mean for a small enough amount of money id be round in a flash for 75 quid

Same here, I quite enjoy the small jobs

 

[P4ULT]

the underfloor heating wont drain because there shouldnt be a drain off on the heating loop. should be on the manifold.