Thing to shut off a radiator - what's it called?

abankerbutnotafatcat

Hi everyone,
We want to take a rad off a wall to decorate behind. What do we need to ask for to attach to the pipe to stop the water? How much should it cost?

We have a spare TRV, would that do the job?

Thanks

prowla

A radiatorshutoffthingyENDCAP?

abankerbutnotafatcat

As things stand, that's exactly what my OH is about to go into our local plumbing shop and ask for!! Unfortunately, they have a track record of unhelpfulness (think they're used to dealing with trade who know what they're after) so we'd rather know the proper name.

southcoastrgi

well i for one am slightly confused, you should have valves on either side you use these to isolate the rad then undo the nut onto the rad (make sure you support the valve or you will damage the pipe if you allow the valve to turn) you dont leave them on the rad & undo them from the pipes.

spadoosh

Yeah you just need to turn the nobs on the radiator to the 'off' position and remove the radiator.

Though i would consider getting a plumber in to do this.

SailorSam

I agree with keithgillyon, just turn the valves off and leave them. But you should get a couple of blanks to block the end of the radiator so that it doesn't leak out drips while it's off the wall. Probably 50p each.

SailorSam

spadoosh wrote: »

Though i would consider getting a plumber in to do this.

Why ?, anyone with even limited Diy knowledge can manage it.

Leif

This is an easy job as long as you are careful. There are lots of online guides. Make sure you record how many turns of the lock valve it takes to close it. Then when you put the radiator back on, open it up the same number of turns. The valves should have been adjusted. That said, when my radiators were put back on by professionals, they just opened the valves fully, and did not adjust them. I am sure that is not right. But it is consistent with the general impression I had of get in, do the job as quickly as possible, get out.

When you take the radiator off, be aware that there will be black water inside, and when you tilt it, that water will flood out. So put old towels etc down at each end, and try and lift it off, tilt, and empty into a container. Two people are better than one.

SailorSam wrote: »

I agree with keithgillyon, just turn the valves off and leave them. But you should get a couple of blanks to block the end of the radiator so that it doesn't leak out drips while it's off the wall. Probably 50p each.

From a small builders merchants, 50p, from B&Q, or Coomers, £5 for 2, or something equally silly.

abankerbutnotafatcat

Thanks, everyone. We were under the impression (from hearing descriptions of the job) that we needed some sort of specific attachment to seal the pipe once the rad was removed. Obviously, not!!

Leif

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

Thanks, everyone. We were under the impression (from hearing descriptions of the job) that we needed some sort of specific attachment to seal the pipe once the rad was removed. Obviously, not!!

I put caps on, but the plumbers who did my pipes did not, so clearly not needed as said by others.

27col

abankerbutnotafatcat wrote: »

Thanks, everyone. We were under the impression (from hearing descriptions of the job) that we needed some sort of specific attachment to seal the pipe once the rad was removed. Obviously, not!!

You already have a specific attachment to seal the pipe once the rad is removed. It is called a radiator valve, there will be one of them on each pipe. If they drip slightly then just put a plastic container underneath to catch the drips.