How much would a plumber charge for capping off a radiator pipe?

Lemoncurd

Bit of a rush one. We've got a plasterer redoing some walls tomorrow, one of the walls has a radiator that we no longer want so we'll need them to skim over where the radiator brackets currently are. They have offered to cap off the valve temporarily but as the valve is dodgy we need to do something permanent pretty quickly.

How much do you think a plumber would charge to do this? presumably it takes quite a while to drain the system (10 rads) or is there a quick way without having to drain it?

We want to get all the radiator valves replaced and some pipework alterations anyway so I'm wondering if it would be better to wait and get it all done at the same time but it may not be worth the risk in case the pipe where the radiator is removed leaks in the meantime.

27col

Unless it is leaking badly, leave it until you are getting the other work done. If it is just a slight weep put a container under it, and empty it regularly. You would not need to drain the whole system. But if you are not sure leave it for the plumber. The amount of work would depend on where the valve is leaking. Not a big deal for a plumber or someone familiar with radiators and pipe work.

angelavdavis

Personally, I would get hold of a couple of stop ends and use two small pieces of copper pipe, olives and nuts and attach the stop ends to one end of the copper pipe, and the olives/nuts on the other to connect to the radiator valve. This will stop it leaking further.

I have a couple of these which I keep in the toolbox to use whenever I need to remove a rad to decorate behind.

27col

I agree about the stop ends and would have suggested it, but lemoncurd gave the impression that he/she were not wanting to do this themself. This is one of those times that a picture would be a great help.

jackieb

We removed a radiator in the summer (or rather the plumber did it). I'm pretty certain he didn't drain all our radiators to do it. I can't remember what it cost but it wasn't very much - probably around £50.

We also had to remove another radiator temporarily while we got some work done - and again i'm pretty certain he didn't drain all the radiators.

angelavdavis

27col wrote: »

I agree about the stop ends and would have suggested it, but lemoncurd gave the impression that he/she were not wanting to do this themself. This is one of those times that a picture would be a great help.

Agreed, but in the ethics of moneysaving, I have posted some pictures here and here of the setup currently in the spare room I am decorating. Not the best photos but I think it gives a general idea. The parts shown only cost a few pounds and can be used time and time again whenever needed.

I didn't drain the system, just shut off the radiator valves and then attached these ends.

Lemoncurd

Thanks all, having spoken to the plasterer in more depth the stop-end approach (thanks for the pics avd) was exactly what he was proposing. I didn't realise at first that this was a pretty permanent watertight way of doing it and thought we had to get the valve removed and the pipes below it (it's microbore so there are two) capped off asap in case the valve failed. The valve was just weeping a little when overtightened so fingers crossed, as long as it isn't knocked/the children don't touch it, it will be ok for a while.