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

Leif

ListysDad: Rather than tediously debate each point in your last post, I will simply say that when I fist took off the radiators in my house, I had done almost no DIY before, and could not be described as a competent DIYer. Yes I was apprehensive, very, but I read online advice and read a Homebase leaflet. Of course people need to take care, but I think that is obvious when dealing with water. I don't think it is any more difficult than changing a car wheel, or cooking a cake, both tasks require a degree of methodical thinking.

Also I am not telling anecdotes cherry picked from my experiences in order to unfairly knock trades. This is a forum where people discuss experiences as well as offer advice, in order to learn. I was simply mentioning my last experience with a plumber, when I paid thousands of pounds for them to install a new boiler and pipes. I forgot to mention other issues, such as the fact they did not show me how to use the boiler. The manufacture told me they should have done that. They also put in some leak sealant, and I am a little concerned that a combi might not like that, but I might be mistaken. I also saw sections of bare copper pipe which - unless they wrapped them at the last minute - were embedded in cement. The plastic pipes were wrapped in insulation before cementing in. And a TRV on the radiator next to the thermostat, which I am told is not correct. My previous experience of a plumber was a chap who replaced the hot water tank in my late mother's house prior to sale. A very nice chap with a degree from the same university as me, who did a good job. My mum liked him, so he must have been good ...

One point about these forums which I am sure you will recognise is that it allows people to learn what plumbers should do, and hence make a better judgement as to who to employ. A big problem is that trades have to bid for work. Joe Smith might be the better chap, but quotes £3,000 for a better job, but Anne Smith quotes £2,000 and does a poorer job (not poorer work, but not done as good a way). But I being fairly ignorant about plumbing - yes, I know my level - cannot judge the quotes properly. You might not believe me, but I actually do not mind paying a trade do a job when I think it is beyond me e.g. install heating pipes.

ListysDad

Thank you Leif.

This interaction has become circular and soporific as, once again, you prove that you lack the empathy required to demonstrate magnanimity.

I'll leave the last word to you otherwise you'll never sleep. Sweet dreams.

abankerbutnotafatcat

I got home last night and OH had successfully completed the job after watching a couple of those 'how to...' videos. :-)

We won't be putting it back ourselves. We're buying a new one and its being fitted as part of the new kitchen installation. Other than checking the size and BTU output is there anything else I need to check when buying a new rad to ensure it is compatible or are they all similar?

Btw there's no way we could get a plumber in to help for anything like £20. We were recently quoted £75 minimum for a plumber to look at a leaking toilet. We were recommended someone more reasonable but OH won't let him back in the house except in an emergency as he cut corners and did some careless work unfortunately.

ListysDad

Glad it worked out for you. Just buy a decent make with a reasonable guarantee of say 10 yrs.

Once its all in DO NOT for get to add the vital inhibitor e.g. Fernox or its like.

Good luck.

kingdavid2012

ListysDad wrote: »

Glad it worked out for you. Just buy a decent make with a reasonable guarantee of say 10 yrs.

Once its all in DO NOT for get to add the vital inhibitor e.g. Fernox or its like.

Good luck.

A guarantee counts most especialy when you buy a non-disposable stuff.I still remember the first time i purchased online.The item for sale didn't come with a guarantee.The moment i found this,i quit and refunded.

Leif

ListysDad wrote: »

Thank you Leif.

This interaction has become circular and soporific as, once again, you prove that you lack the empathy required to demonstrate magnanimity.

I'll leave the last word to you otherwise you'll never sleep. Sweet dreams.

Yawn. Zzzzzzz.

unclebulgaria

£20 was cash in hand and the work was almost next door to where I was already working. I can't begin to guess charges where the OP lives or where any of the other tradesmen live, but this was a cash in hand job. Now stop laughing!
I stand by the fact you ARE anti trade Leif and you come across as smug! Well done, your own DIY work seems to be great, according to your many posts on it, you are correct in that you have the luxury of your own time and schedule, we dont! That doesn't excuse poor work by any means and I get embarrassed by other "tradesmens" poor work. Rogue Traders doesn't help.
Following a video or directions in a leaflet wont help when/if an olive is crushed during any work and the OP doesn't know how to stop it, he can't come on here and wait for a response! What happens if debris is dragged into the CH system from a feed and expansion tank? Do B&Q have a leaflet for that?
I did not try to scare anyone by the way, I get tired of reading anti trade posts by you and others, and there are lots, in which YOU scare posters away from trades before you add the little ditty "find a reliable tradesman". HOW???? you have already put them off!
Cyclonebri made the daftest comment I've ever read, we trades have a vested interest in putting off DIY'ers??? And you both have the audacity to complain about our replies?
My point is, easy isn't always straight forward. The OP has removed the radiator, brilliant, but he isn't following up with the refit himself. He wont get to the point of scratching his head when the replaced rad is air locked or god forbid blocked by debris dragged into the CH system (open vented pifalls) or maybe the compression joints are leaking? Those leaflets are great but don't tell you everything and nor did you.
B&Q and Homebase also sell all the bits to fit a gas fire and thats after the Gas industry have complained about the safety aspects, now there's a vested interest!
I would still advise someone not experienced in removing radiators to ask a Tradesmen to do it and maybe watch and learn (hoping he's competent, or you could show them for free?) or if they really feel like trying it, do it in a downstairs room, pull the carpet back, get lots of old towels, the correct tools, and make sure they know how to stop the water in case all goes wrong.

cyclonebri1

ListysDad wrote: »

Glad it worked out for you. Just buy a decent make with a reasonable guarantee of say 10 yrs.

Once its all in DO NOT for get to add the vital inhibitor e.g. Fernox or its like.

Good luck.

Maybe you should qualify that? ie, can you use that in ALL systems, I only ask as you say you are a professional?

Leif

unclebulgaria wrote: »

I stand by the fact you ARE anti trade Leif and you come across as smug!

It would be better for everyone if you restricted yourself to the issue at hand rather than personal abuse. Most if not all of your posts in this thread contain insults and/or attribute to me things I did not say.

unclebulgaria wrote: »

Well done, your own DIY work seems to be great, according to your many posts on it, you are correct in that you have the luxury of your own time and schedule, we dont!

I have not said what I have said in order to show off, but in response to insults from you and others. It is my belief that someone with a bit of commonsense and manual dexterity can do many tasks for themselves.

And if you say as you did that trades work to much higher standards than DIYers, and that you would be able to see the faults in my DIY work, you should expect a response.

I think we are all aware trades must earn a living.

unclebulgaria wrote: »

That doesn't excuse poor work by any means and I get embarrassed by other "tradesmens" poor work. Rogue Traders doesn't help.

I think the sad fact is that a significant proportion of the 'trades' out there are chancers and/or bodgers, which damages the reputation of the good ones.

unclebulgaria wrote: »

Following a video or directions in a leaflet wont help when/if an olive is crushed during any work and the OP doesn't know how to stop it, he can't come on here and wait for a response! What happens if debris is dragged into the CH system from a feed and expansion tank? Do B&Q have a leaflet for that?

I did not try to scare anyone by the way, I get tired of reading anti trade posts by you and others, and there are lots, in which YOU scare posters away from trades before you add the little ditty "find a reliable tradesman". HOW???? you have already put them off!

Simple. As I have often said, and others have said, find a trade by personal recommendation, from a friend, colleague or neighbour. I would advice against trade directories such as CheckATrade for many many reasons which many people have posted about on this forum, so I will not waste time here. If someone cannot find a trade, then the Trading Standards Buy With Confidence scheme is preferable to trade directories. In my case the cowboys that screwed my bathroom were with CheckATrade and BWC, although I did not know at the time they were with BYC. No scheme can guarantee competency. CheckATrade refused to do anything to resolve the dispute. Trading Standards have mediated, and thus far I have been offered a substantial sum of money, albeit that would still leave me down by a large amount. Yes I am not impressed that they were on the BWC scheme, but at least Trading Standards are making an effort to mediate, with some success thus far.

Thus far those trades I have obtained by personal recommendation, or in the case of Optiplan via an independent review site (ReviewCentre), have ranged from good to excellent.

You will have to get used to the idea that in a forum like this people will vent their anger at those trades that have done poor or so so work.

unclebulgaria wrote: »

Cyclonebri made the daftest comment I've ever read, we trades have a vested interest in putting off DIY'ers??? And you both have the audacity to complain about our replies?

It seemed quite a reasonable statement. And it seems even more reasonable in the light of your comment that DIY work is poor, and you would be able to point out the faults. Were an employee of B&Q to trash Homebase on this forum, I might, just might, have suspicions about the intent.

unclebulgaria wrote: »

My point is, easy isn't always straight forward. The OP has removed the radiator, brilliant, but he isn't following up with the refit himself. He wont get to the point of scratching his head when the replaced rad is air locked or god forbid blocked by debris dragged into the CH system (open vented pifalls) or maybe the compression joints are leaking? Those leaflets are great but don't tell you everything and nor did you.
B&Q and Homebase also sell all the bits to fit a gas fire and thats after the Gas industry have complained about the safety aspects, now there's a vested interest!
I would still advise someone not experienced in removing radiators to ask a Tradesmen to do it and maybe watch and learn (hoping he's competent, or you could show them for free?) or if they really feel like trying it, do it in a downstairs room, pull the carpet back, get lots of old towels, the correct tools, and make sure they know how to stop the water in case all goes wrong.

Well I guess I am just smug and incompetent, according to you, and if I ever have the undoubted honour of your company in my house, I will humbly ask you to inspect my DIY work, point out the faults, and tell me how I should have done it, so that in future it can be just that little but better, albeit far below the level of a professional.

Are you with CheckATrade (or some other trade directory)?

unclebulgaria

Good question! The answer is no. I used to be a member of the local council trades list and others and found it a farce as there were no follow up checks on my work. I have had my work checked by Gas Safe at my request several times. I'm still trying to find a way of having my plumbing checked, papers are ok but we all get sloppy.
I rely exclusively on word of mouth and find myself nice and busy. I now no longer advertise, except Yell.com.
Like I said, I find you smug but, as Listysdad has pointed out text doesn't pass on everything we mean efficiently, you may well be a lovely fella, you're obviously intelligent but I still find you smug. Thats just my opinion.
Listysdad also pointed out that the way I got my point over could have been carried out with a little more finesse and looking back he's right.

DIY is great for saving money, I love DIY but, I have many times kicked myself for being a little over confident and costing myself more than having a qualified person carry out the work in the first place. This was my original point.
I haven't said at anytime you're incompetent!!! Please read my posts again!
I am not peddling any ideas that are not in text.
As for anything else...
You defend your right to your opinion and I'll defend mine.
As Listysdad has already stated quite eloquently this isn't going anywhere!

"Well I guess I am just smug..." see out of context, doesn't look good eh?