DIY Doctor UK DIY Forums

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to replace my 600mm high x 900mm length radiator in my living room as it's too small. I have another type 22 double walled and 200mm longer to achieve the desired BTU. Only one problem. I have no experience in extending pipework... Luckily for me the existing pipework runs about ground.... Its a 15mm copper pipe I believe but has 2 'L' bends.... So how do you actually extend the pipe and what would I need to do the job myself.?.. I am a novice but I can isolate and remove radiators..Thankyou

Hi housediy
Assuming you know how to drain and refill your system, you will need extra pipe and some fittings - suggest you use tectite push fit ones. Cut off the existing elbows, fit the new radiator and connect up the pipes to new valves on the radiator. If you make the extra 20cm one end you will only have one side of the pipe to extend.
Regards S

stoneyboy wrote:Hi housediy
Assuming you know how to drain and refill your system, you will need extra pipe and some fittings - suggest you use tectite push fit ones. Cut off the existing elbows, fit the new radiator and connect up the pipes to new valves on the radiator. If you make the extra 20cm one end you will only have one side of the pipe to extend.
Regards S

Thankyou.
In your experience what is the best option to drain this? Just the one radiator you think?
When you say about extending.... Do you think cut the straight and keep all existing elbows?
What fitting is good to use to extend a straight piece and so it doesn't look cosmetically awful?
I wonder how I'm going to connect with a hot torch near the wall.

Hi housediy.
Since you are cutting pipes you will have to drain the system.
Best to not try to reuse elbows - I think you said you were going from single to double panel radiator.
I suggested tectite fittings because they look neat and being push fit they do not need a blowtorch.
Regards S

Hi,
Sorry it's double to double but the design is slightly different. I was going to keep the elbows and just cut and connect the straight horizontal pipe to extend to the left. Probably hang the rad on one existing bracket then place new one wider.... In this case maybe 20cm out to left also.
Connect the straight horizontal with tectite as you suggest and stick the elbow work back on to the new rad if that makes sense?
Think that will work?
Thankyou

Also the radiator I'm changing happens to be the end one in the loop system so can I just isolate and drain this one without draining the whole system?

Hi housediy
Just try it and see - you’ll soon know if it’s wrong.
Regards S

Thank you stoney boy... Appreciate that