Sealed combi - removing a radiator Help and information on all topics relating to your central heating, air conditioning and ventilation issues.

[CPShines]

Hi all, novice DIYer here.

I'm going to replace a radiator and I have a feeling that it's possible to take off the old one without draining the system down. I'm not sure quite what order to do things in to avoid disaster though. I thought I would:

- Turn off the CH, but leave the boiler on for hot water

- Turn off a valve on each radiator to keep their water in in case I get things wrong

- Turn off both the valve and the lockshield on the rad I'm going to remove

- Undo the pipe from one valve first, cut it a couple of inches further down and put a pushfit stopend on it

- Do the same to the pipe on the other side

- Take the rad off the wall

- Carry on using the CH until I get round to fitting the new rad

Is that going to work or will I flood the folks downstairs/break the boiler?

Thanks in advance :)

[htg engineer]

You'll flood the folks downstairs.

Turn off both valve to the radiator you want to change, remove radiator (there'll still be water in the radiator) you can still use heating and water. I the pipe need cutting then you need to drain the system.

You cannot use the hot water with the system drained, as it will damage the combi boiler.

htg

[CPShines]

Thanks for that. The pipes will need cutting as the new radiator is a different size.