Radiator removal issues!

Zola.

What on earth am I doing wrong ?

I have taken radiators off in my house in the past. I am finally getting round to doing up the last small bedroom and already feel pretty useless

See photos for state of play. I haven't been able to stop the water flowing from the flow pipe (right side pipe). I have tried turning the small switch on the top to the furthest right, and also the furthest left, but each time the water literally bursts out at me when I undo the big nut.

Can someone please advise what I am doing wrong. This radiator is old and different from the others I have.

Any help is much appreciated.

Mr.Generous

sounds obvious but you have to turn off BOTH valves or it will reverse flow. Also you will get a rad full out when you remove it even with both valves out. Rad valves can fail to shut off but you will get a trickle at most, usually just drips. Looking at them I'd replace the valves anyway. The water is so black you need to flush and refill the system several times. When you are done and tested water tight and all working add your inhibitor from my recommended national retailer .... (no I don't work for them but they are great!!) http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/d230/Central+Heating+Additives/sd3235/Central+Heating+System+Inhibitor/p94504
£6.42 great value.
Oh if you change your valves you will need a large radiator allen key
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Hand+Tools/d10/Plumbers+Tools/sd210/Valve+Spanner+%26+Air+Release+Key/p63865
£3.64.

SplanK

is the valve on the left a TRV?

Zola.

Not a trv I don't believe. No heat dial or anything just a simple cap on top.

I have both valves turned to the furthest right that they'll go. The water flows in frm the right sides pipe.

Gti

What happens on the left side when undone, do you get a dribble there or a gush? If you've used a bleed key at the top of the radiator does water stream out from there or do you get nothing? If you are still getting lots of water from the bleed valve then I don't think you have the pipes closed off enough at both ends.

Zola.

When I undo the nut on the left side the water flows out of the radiator like a bottle on its side.

Whereas the pipe from the right side jets out of the supply pipe

Keith99

Zola. wrote: »

When I undo the nut on the left side the water flows out of the radiator like a bottle on its side.

Whereas the pipe from the right side jets out of the supply pipe

Looks like the right side needs to be locked down to stop the water, however I can't see how you would do it. If a combi boiler you could drain the whole system and the get a nut to block off the right valve.

Grenage

Might be a seized valve; if you're having issues, I would just drain the system and replace it with a TRV.

Zola.

Thanks

I will give it another go tonight after work, if still having issues I will have to call a plumber / someone who knows what they are doing haha.

I may just upgrade the radiator altogether.

All the radiators in the house are pretty old but work pretty well, would new ones be a lot better?

Grenage

If the system has been maintained, so that the radiator isn't full of rust (and even then, you can flush it with a hose), there's no reason a new radiator would be any better.

Zola.

I managed to get it sorted!

I think the main issue was two things - the heat being on earlier in the day built up pressure and the water was horrendous to deal with, was bursting out.

Secondly, and more importantly, my pliers did not tighten the valve enough like it did for the others, I got a size 7 spanner and it gave it a another small turn which shut it off.... lesson learned!

Thanks for the help