Tiling behind a radiator, weird pipe configuration.

[dlads]

Hi all, this is my first post and i registered just to get some help with this.
I have been tiling and i would like to remove the radiator so i can tile behind it, i have never done this before.

I have looked at some self help videos on you tube, but am not confident that my radiator is the same configuration of pipe work.

I have two pipes going into the same part of the radiator which i think is isolated by one thermostatic valve dial.

I think all i have to do is tie the thermo valve down to * frost and then remove the radiator but i thought i would seek some advice first, i have provided a pic of the radiator in question for convenience, sorry for my rookie sounding self too.

Thanks for any responses this thread yields.

Cheers.

 

[biofish]

Just by looking at it, turn the TRV down to 0, crack the connecting nut to the radiator slowly and drain the water out of the rad (use a paint-tray). You should be able to remove it without to much hassle.

Assuming your going to be putting it back in the same position that is. 🙂

 

[Puddle]

You have just reminded me ,I have a job since Jan that needs doing,first time I have come across one of these valves,'as do not do many posh jobs' 🙁see thread below,will have to be carefull return closed as thermostat linked to flow and spreader tube inside rad

return isolation maybe behind nut of left,not sure though,hopefully others will be able to help later on




http://www.ukplumbersforums.co.uk/central-heating-forum/6844-tubes-one-end-only-radiator-valve.html

 

[kirkgas]

they look similar to something i seen years ago, i think there may be an allan key nut behind the chrome nut to close the retun pipe

 

[WHPES]

Quite a few round here but they are all mounted horizontally into the bottom corner of a rad. The rads with them always seem to silt up quickly and you can't powerflush properly.

Be careful removing it as there may be a long pipe going up into the radiator which could get damaged.

 

[migoplumber]

an make sure that when you have the valve and radiator seperated, cap off the rad valve, dont want any accidents!

 

[dlads]

Thanks for all the responses from all of you guys, So! should I just go for it and turn the thermostat down to 0 and crank it open? I got told by someone on another forum to put a five pence coin in the thermostat so that when it tightens it will definitely close off! sounds like a neat trick but maybe not too reliable.

Apparently these radiators are from the 70's when the houses were built, not too sure on the upkeep of them as i've only been here two years and I wouldn't know otherwise.

Is there anything which you would need to know from me to be able to make a better decision on how to isolate it for removal.

Thanks again.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

take a 3/4 female cap with you and screw it on to the trv when you remove the rad also get a 3/4 washer for the cap i doubt that old trv will not pass water

 

[GreenArmy]

No, dont just turn off the TRV, as kirkgas says, look at the nut on left of valve (opposite TRV) and remove nut and turn down (close) with allen key as well as shutting down TRV. There will be (or should be) a long flexible tube connected to the allen key (return pipe) side of the valve that slides into radiator.

check out this link about two thirds down the page

 

[Plouasne]

Stop, I think that you will find that the valve is a Tour and Anderson rad valve, see link for how it works and how to shut it down

- TA

Mark is right on the nail with most of his comments, the flow is on the left hand side remove cap and use allen key to shut the flow of (count the turns it takes) if you can get a cap for the valve use that otherwise try shutting it off, I think that its a gasket type seal rather than a cone type seal, so I would ring Tour and Anderson for advice

It looks like it will be a pig to drain down, because of the riser tube, would have a lot of sponges handy and try and make a catch tray for the spillages out of a sheet of polythene with raised edges and well taped around the cuts made in the poly to get it around the pipes

Also read the file on the link about the valve, because I am sure now that it is a Tour and Anderson valve

 

[dlads]

Cheers to everyone who responded, a tour and Anderson valve you say, ok cool, i'll try to contact them after the easter hols and see about a removal but i think your right about it.

Only the nut to the direct left of the thermostat is a blank nut, below the nut slightly is what feels like an alan key female hole i think, I'll call that company and get a bit of advice, but thanks as i wouldn't have guessed that it was from any company, appreciate it.