Radiator replacement DIY?

£!$£&*(£$

Radiator replacement DIY?

martinthebandit

Of course it is, as long as you know what your doing.

martinthebandit

Top tip, buy pre soldered fittings.

Second top tip, YouTube is your friend

Grenage

With no experience I picked up a Rothenburger solder kit and cracked on. Practice on a few copper offcuts after watching some videos and you'll probably be fine.

I've never used the fittings with solder rings; I prefer to see the solder flow to know that it's at temperature.

Grenage

genau wrote: »

Hey Grenage, thanks for the encouragement! I assume solder rings are the pre-soldered connections but will Youtube and have a look. Good point about visually seeing the solder flowing and is that not possible to see the solder flowing on the pre-soldered fittings

Aye that's right. A professional probably doesn't need to worry, but I'm not a professional. Soldering itself is easy, but keeping it looking pretty takes a little bit of practice.

My Superfire 2 kit was under 100 and came with absolutely everything I'd need.

bertiewhite

I've used fittings with an olive that tightens when dealing with radiators before and they were fine.

onomatopoeia99

genau wrote: »

Thanks Martin. Are pre soldered fittings considered to be as consistently as strong and robust as soldered joints by experts and pros do you know?

What kind of mechanical loads that require "strength" do you anticipate these fittings being placed under once installed?

Pre-soldered fittings are fine.

molerat

Yorkshire (pre soldered) fittings are easier than end feed, much easier to get the solder to flow out of the joint than make it go in !

You do not need anything as complicated or expensive as the Rothburger kit, a standard under £20 blowtorch is more than sufficient. Just make sure you have a heat resistant mat to protect walls etc.

plumberpaig

molerat wrote: »

Yorkshire (pre soldered) fittings are easier than end feed, much easier to get the solder to flow out of the joint than make it go in !

You do not need anything as complicated or expensive as the Rothburger kit, a standard under £20 blowtorch is more than sufficient. Just make sure you have a heat resistant mat to protect walls etc.

What he said.

john240870

Are you installing or replacing? If you are replacing like the 1st post suggested their should be no need to change the pipe work. A plumber once told me to use pre soldered fittings, and also add a little extra solder.

FreeBear

Grenage wrote: »

I've never used the fittings with solder rings; I prefer to see the solder flow to know that it's at temperature.

With the solder ring fittings, you know when the joint is up to temperature when you see the solder weeping out of the ends. Still worth giving the joint a little wipe with a touch more solder.

Don't overheat the joint and give it a wipe with a cloth to remove any excess solder. When it has cooled down, wipe the joint, pipe, and fitting with a damp cloth (mix a bit of bicarbonate of soda in with the water) - This will remove & neutralise the acid flux.

Make sure both the pipe and fitting is dry, clean and bright. Avoid getting finger prints on the joint as you assemble it, and don't drown it with flux or solder.