Need a new Radiator

dickibobboy

Hi there, we are currently doing the bathroom (well i say, new items in and a lick of paint!:p) and i think its time the radiator was changed, apart from it having layers of paint in from before we lived here and what we have put on its looking grubby there is a small rust patch appearing that i dont want to risk for much longer. Its a dark patch at the top and if it pops near there then its a bigger problem.

We will be able to find somone to replace the radiator but at the moment i am quite interested to find out roughly how much they are and maybe buy one in ready for the change over. The radiator is the first one after the boiler so only has a close knob on it nothing else and is just a single one.

I measured it as Height - 70.5cm Width 80cm and the rough distance between each pipes from the floor is 90cm give or take a cm.

https://www.bhl.co.uk is a place local to me and i can maybe get a decent discount from there but any where else i dont mind too.

Thanks

angelavdavis

I would speak with a plumber that would supply as they are likely to get trade discount anyway. For one radiator, you stand more chance of getting someone in to do the work if they supply the radiator. If you are replacing like for like (ie the same size, etc using existing valves) it is only likely to be a five minute job and is possible to do by a competent diyer. There are lots of suppliers - even Screwfix supply radiators.

Astec

I had a quote for parts and labour for 3 new radiators last week. The trade prices were actually only a little cheaper than B&Q...so with the 30% staff discount (friend works there) I'm saving a fair bit.

They also have towel radiators starting from around £35 which is very cheap!

andrew-b

...u get what you pay for ..as i found out with cheap screwfix towel rail that was rusty inside it when i opened the box and sent it straight back. I'd avoid B&Q if i were you. It's better usually to stick to branded rads.

One exception though..the rads at wickes are a pretty good deal and actually rebranded quinn radiators - though reports from the reviews on their website and from here are that you need to check them over for damage as the packaging isn't too good.

Have a look at discountedheating.co.uk and inspiredheating.co.uk which have been mentioned on the forum in the past.

If you want a towel rail rather than a standard rad i highly recommend Abacus towel rails (homesupply.co.uk for another supplier).

But goto your local plumber's merchants and get some prices too. PTS/City Plumbing/Plumbase etc etc. Don't be afraid to play them off against each other either as there are discounts to be had if you barter a bit.

ic

The radiators supplied by B&Q (and probably Screwfix) are made by Kudox. As to whether thats a good or bad thing I don't know - but I've had no trouble with the four radiators I've fitted made by them.

jemw

we have two new ones from wickes and they are pretty good (installed 2 yrs ago)

i'm just looking at replacing the other four in our house and it's looking at c. £200 for two large ones, one med and one small... just gotta find someone to fit them now

ormus

ive used wickes rads for years now. never had a problem.
i rarely go anywhere else. pretty good prices too.

changing a single rad (like for like) is a fairly simple job.

andrew-b

ic wrote: »

The radiators supplied by B&Q (and probably Screwfix) are made by Kudox. As to whether thats a good or bad thing I don't know - but I've had no trouble with the four radiators I've fitted made by them.

I don't think that was who made the towel rail i sent back to screwfix. I don't remember who the supplier was but whoever it was i found it difficult finding any info online for them when i looked (details were on the box which i obviously no longer have) so i suspect it wasn't Kudox. Screwfix may well not supply the particular make of towel rail i got from them anymore as it was last year and was on some offer or other (probably clearing stock!).
Maybe B&Q one's that are Kudox rebrands are ok ..though i've not heard of that make other than having seen it mentioned in the screwfix book.. whereas quinn that supply wickes rads are well known. On the whole i've always found Wickes stuff to be better than B&Q plus the refund policy is much longer and i find their customer service to be better (though that may just be my area).

andrew-b

Just had a quick look at my order history (was october 2008) and can confirm that the towel rail i ordered is listed as unavailable on the online invoice and no longer even on their website. The towel rails there now are all listed as Kudox in the title which mine wasn't at the time. So it seems they did indeed ditch a supplier.

dickibobboy

Hi there,

I would like to thank you all for the help and advice !

Had a look around the websites given and advice and i think if i am going to replace the radiator i would just go for like for like single rad.

Now, wickes seems to be the best option and is close to me so i could easily collect one and i also plan to go down to travis perkins to see what they have to offer (father works there, hardly see each other but i'm sure his discount will come in place easily)

I measured the radiator width and its 800mm by 705mm. Now obviously the width is the major part in the change and height does not matter too much. If i was to get a like for like width should and would the connections be as simple as changing them over?

If not i think i will leave it but a nice new radiator would look nice with all new taps etc. :rotfl:

I have not any idea how to change a radiator. I watched a video on youtube showing where i have to find the drain point and drain the system, take the radiator off, PTFE tape the connections, replace radiator and fill the system back up + checking for leaks.

Thanks.

dickibobboy

Here is the radiator, click for a larger picture.