Redirecting shower and radiator pipes... All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[Artief]

I'm putting in a new doorway into a bathroom and have four external pipes that need to be moved about 3 feet to the right. I intend to cut the pipes beneath the floorboards and put in elbows that run them to the right.

Two of the pipes are the hot and cold water pipes for the shower. I'm confident enough about moving these as turning off the water for them is simple, and then I have a good idea from the DIY books and other advice on cutting the pipes and putting in the elbows to move them.

The thing that I'm really not sure about is the two other pipes as they appear to be central heating pipes running to the radiator upstairs.

My question is how do I need to prepare to move the pipes? Is it just a matter of turning off the water as it is with the shower pipes? Will I also have to turn off the combination boiler (I assume so)? Do I need to drain the system first? If so, how does one do that?

Any advice or direction to help would be most appreciated.

Thanks.

[bobplum]

make sure the combis switched off,drain down the system from the lowest radiator you will need to drain at least half the system
cut the pipe apply the elbows and carry on from there
to refill the system use the filling loop on the combi to pressurise

[Artief]

Thanks for your reply. The boiler is a sealed pressure combi, and most of the advice I've seen on the web is saying not to even attempt to drain it down myself but to get a pro.

Would you think I should do this? Or can you tell me if there's any simple way to do it?

Thanks again.

[Lucasimo]

If you feel confident then do it,

follow bobplum's advice.

you can indeed drain the combi down. Make sure it is turned off at the power and also turn off the water supply to it. Drain drain down by connecting a hose via a jubilee clip (done up [u]just[/u] tight enough) to a drain cock that should be located at the lowest point on a radiator in your house.

You will most likely need a 4 way utility key to open the drain cock. Yuo can get these from DIY stores.

Make sure the hose is going into a foul drain (a large enough bucket or straight to a toilet would be best)

Open the drain valve and away you go!

Once water has stopped coming out, you can then start on the pipework mods. Use solder fittings for joining and follow the usual advice for hot work.

After joining and pipe has cooled, you can then refil using the combi filler loop. This will be under the combi somewhere. In some models (i.e Vaillant Ecomax, you have to remove a panel to gain access to the filler loop).

You should top up with the correct corrosion and scale inhibitor as well when you refill. You can buy inhibitor from B and Q. Get the one for all metals...Sentinel X ...something or other...

You dont need anyone from CORGI to do this for you...you are not touching the gas side or messing with the flue etc...And you dont need to be a pro. Draining and refilling really isnt difficult.

You can always go on the manufacturers website where you should be able to download a service manaual which will show you where the filling loop is and how to use it.

Hope this helps...

[bonzo]

Hi

another point to add is to open the air vents on the top of the rads when draining the heating circuit otherwise not all the water will drain and it might go everywhere when you cut the pipes.
Close the vents before you refill, then go round each radiator and bleed the air out.

Fill heating loop to about 1- 1.5 bar pressure