Moving/Cleaning radiators

nifferwilko

Just gearing myself up to do the thousands of jobs once my rewire has finished in my very first house!!

I have a gas fired back boiler, and rather then go to the expense of fitting a new one it's being left until it finally gives up the ghost (not very energy efficient I know, but they're supposed to be reliable so I'll give it a chance)

Anyway, I want to move a couple of radiators and replace a couple. Am I right in thinking that it is a plumber I want to do this? And should I be asking them to 'rebalance' the system once they've done the work?

Also, they need a really good clean as they're getting on in years (but still work - tested the heating yesterday and no cold spots). So
1 - Can I close the valves and take the radiators off the wall to clean them?
2 - Am I okay to tip the water out of the radiators while I clean them - will they refill okay once I reattach them to the system or is there a finite level of water moving around my central heating system.
3 - While I have them off, should I try to wash them out in case there is any sludge inside of them?

I'm sure one day I will look back and laugh at my diy newbie questions

ormus

assuming your back boiler is the older gravity type with an expansion tank, then it will refill the sytem automatically.
you can do it your way but the better way is to flush and clean the system as is. then change the new rads.
get a system flush and cleaner product, from wickes/screwfix etc.. and follow the destructions.

http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat/pro.jsp?cId=102633&ts=27866&id=89458

Browntoa

I've always turned mine upside down and stuck a hose in them and flushed mine when they where off the wall, wash some of the rubbish out of the bottom

be warned that this very rarely reveals pinholes that have rusted through in very old radiators.

it's also worth checking that you can turn the bleed valve in the rad while it's off as sometimes they have rusted solid !!

nifferwilko

Thank you - nice to know I was on the right track!! I think I'll have a look at those flushing cleaners as it may be a bit easier than me trying to carry radiators around the house!!

Didn't think about rust in my old radiators - might ask the plumber to give me a quote for replacing them all!!

I_love_Airedales

If I was going to have a heating system installed I would ask my plumber to put the rads on the walls higher than the skirting boards and to have a wider gap from the wall. This would make it easier for me to clean and paint the skirting and allow me to get a roller behind to emulsion. The fluff likes to gather on the skirting as well. I don't know if there is a reason that they put them in this position maybe it is putting too much strain on the brackets having the rads further out. When we re-decorate it is nerve racking lifting the rad off and 'im indoors holding the rad while I paint.