Fixing radiators on stud walls

flossie217

Hi all. I could do with some advice please. I'm having radiators installed in the bedrooms, two need to be fitted to stud walls.
The plumber says it's OK to fix straight into wall with whichever fixings he plans to use. A builder friend reckons it would be better to first strengthen the wall with ply then install the rad.
The rads are 900x600 double panel and 900x600 single.
My main concern is with the weight of the double panel as it will be on an external wall which is a stud with tiling on the outside. If the rad should pull away from the wall could it lead to damaging the exterior as well or am I worrying about nothing?
Opinions please.
Thanks.

aliasojo

It can't damage the exterior. If the rad pulled away from the wall, the worst that would happen is that the internal plasterboard would break around the fixing points.

Rads that size can be fixed with the correct plasterboard fixings. Houses all over the country (including my own) will have rads fixed this way, not many plumbers would go to the extreme of cutting out plasterboard to fix ply to the studwork to strengthen the wall, but yes, doing that is the belt and braces approach and will provide a secure fixing. All depends on how far you want to go.

vax2002

Yes, it is better to cut out a section of plaster board and fill in with plywood, ask the joiner to do this and line the inside of the ply with foil.
Plaster board was not designed to hang radiators off.

mikey72

I've used cavity fixers, long frame fixers through into the wall behind, and putting battens in, and all have held well enough.

flossie217

Thank you all for your response.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

aliasojo wrote: »

It can't damage the exterior. If the rad pulled away from the wall, the worst that would happen is that the internal plasterboard would break around the fixing points.

I would say the worst that can happen is it falls off & the feed to the valve/s come loose flooding your house while you are out & unless you have a combi the water will not stop.

aliasojo

Clearly, but I was talking about the wall at that point and addressing the concern the OP had about the external part of the wall.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

aliasojo wrote: »

Clearly, but I was talking about the wall at that point and addressing the concern the OP had about the external part of the wall.

I am sure you were. Just thought it was important to clarify the worst case.

ormus

i dont really trust the PB plugs, so i like to make sure ive got a fixing into a stud.
ill put extra noggins in place if required.
or maybe plywood.