radiator replacements

susanthunt

So, two of our old radiators are leaking slightly - and replacement is well overdue.

But I have measured them as 700mm high and 750mm wide. Every website I've looked at - b&q etc only have widths as full hundreds - eg 600 or 700 or 800.

Have radiator sizes changed in past 20 years or is there a special way to measure not to actual edge? If we have to go for larger or smaller the pipework will also need altered.

And just since I am here - we live in an old house and I don't like the convector design too much. We don't have the traditonal old shaped radiators but we have ones that are double with flat top but no convector bars in the middle. Don't they make those now either

many thanks for any help.

Chanes

susanthunt wrote: »

So, two of our old radiators are leaking slightly - and replacement is well overdue.

But I have measured them as 700mm high and 750mm wide. Every website I've looked at - b&q etc only have widths as full hundreds - eg 600 or 700 or 800.

Have radiator sizes changed in past 20 years or is there a special way to measure not to actual edge? If we have to go for larger or smaller the pipework will also need altered.

And just since I am here - we live in an old house and I don't like the convector design too much. We don't have the traditonal old shaped radiators but we have ones that are double with flat top but no convector bars in the middle. Don't they make those now either

many thanks for any help.

We had radiators replaced and the fitter had to modify the pipes, he said the ones he was replacing were an imperial not metric. I have no idea if that is kidding me along but he did have to alter a lot of the copper pipes that connected the new radiators.

firefox1956

You, or your plumber will have to alter the pipework.
It is quite easy & there are various options open to you.
This may help
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMLsSA8r05M
Or this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6c5voY5nC8
HTH

FreeBear

Chanes wrote: »

We had radiators replaced and the fitter had to modify the pipes, he said the ones he was replacing were an imperial not metric. I have no idea if that is kidding me

He was not trying it on - I've recently replace some radiators that are over 30 years old and the original fittings are a different thread to the new ones. This meant having to cut the pipes and fit a new piece so that the new nuts & olives could be used.

Whilst the new radiators still use a ½" BSP, the thread on the other end of the radiator taps are slightly different. Could have reused the original taps, but the new radiators came with a free TRV & lockshield.

thescouselander

I've just done a load of these. I didn't bother making any pipework adjustments because I bought telescopic adjustable tails for £6 a pair. These are the things:


http://www.screwfix.com/p/white-chrome-radiator-union-valve-tail-15mm-2-pack/78169?kpid=78169&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&gclid=CIHl95CyydACFVYo0wodL9oD0w

adonis

You can also get these in various lengths,
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating/d230/Radiator+Valves/sd2762/Radiator+Valve+Extension/p37352

As some people say the telescopic ones can leak but I have used them with no problems.

Chanes

FreeBear wrote: »

He was not trying it on - I've recently replace some radiators that are over 30 years old and the original fittings are a different thread to the new ones. This meant having to cut the pipes and fit a new piece so that the new nuts & olives could be used.

Whilst the new radiators still use a ½" BSP, the thread on the other end of the radiator taps are slightly different. Could have reused the original taps, but the new radiators came with a free TRV & lockshield.

Thanks for that info, I am really pleased he was not kidding me along because he seemed to be a genuinely nice chap and I am not a good judge of character so I would be easily fooled.