Changing radiators, for noob DIYers?

greensalad

My partner and I are pretty newbie DIYers. However we're not that bad at doing things with our hands and figuring things out (I'm a dressmaker so some skills do transfer!) 

I've read a few people say changing radiators is fairly easy, and others say it's tough.

I understand it's easier if you're changing "like for like", which we wouldn't be. However all the radiators in our house are piped in sideways, not into the floor (as they're concrete and I suspect CH was added after the property was built). So the pipes for the far edge run horizontally along the bottom of the rad, meet the closer side and then go off horizontally into the nearest pipe.

How easy would this be for newbies to redo? We're looking at vertical rads instead. I understand you have to shut off at the nearest valve and then drain out. We're looking to change four radiators all downstairs. Is it worth getting someone in to do them instead?

Jeepers_Creepers

I suspect you'll find it tough. And that's not even the plumbing side, but the 'mechanical' - ie mounting the new rad brackets in exactly the right place, and exactly level. Then you need to shut off and drain the old pipes, cope with any water that still comes out, extend these pipes in a neat fashion (or else it'll all look hellish), and connect them all up.

I recently fitted two new column rads, and the amount of tweaking to get all four brackets exactly right was a 'mare. And these rads are heavy...

For developing plumbing skills, I'd strongly recommend doing it first in hidden areas, such as under sinks and stuff. You also need to think about which plumbing skills you hope to master - does it include soldering, for example?

I've done most DIY tasks in my time, but I found fitting these two column rads 'awkward'. I knew I would be able to do it, but it took a lot longer than I'd anticipated.

NSG666

Is it worth getting someone in to do them instead?

It depends how confident you feel and how desperate to save money / time.

It is doable but the vertical rads aren't quite as simple as standard panel rads. With panel rads you get a pair of brackets that are easy to fit and you can adjust on the holes that you have drilled. On the vertical rads that I've fitted you get 4 individual brackets with little or no adjustment and usually some crappy fixings that pull out of the wall. You need to carefully measure and mark out where to put them as they don't seem to provide any useful info in the instructions. Then you come to lift the rad on and the plastic bits that stop the rad clicking as it heats up and cools down drop off so you have to lift it off, re-fit them and try again. With a bit of luck the radiator will be vertical  then you can begin to connect it.
If you do try it, fit the top brackets first and hang the rad on them, check it's vertical and hold and mark for the bottom bracket holes.
For the radiator valve tails use Loctite Pipecord rather than PTFE and you mat as well put something like Tru-blu on as well as they are pigs if they leak.

Connect the pipes, sit back and relax.

Jeepers_Creepers

Lol! You were looking in the window, NSG!

I ended up super-gluing these silicone bumpers in place... :-(

greensalad

Thanks for the opinions, think maybe we'll get someone in to do them considering they sound like a right faff! 

Ajmason42

truthfully Some times it is just easier to get some one in. If you think all the tools you buy to do the job will be used again and again then go for it but if it’s a one off then I tend to get some one in. Plus the smallest water leak and lead to a huge amount of damage. 

greensalad

Yes I'm very worried about water leak! We absolutely love the flooring in the new house (it was one of the things that made me want to buy it) so I'm very worried about damaging it. Also, I think I'd be more inclined to DIY if we were only doing one, but I'm guessing getting someone in to do 4 is going to be fairly cost effective to get the whole lot done.

Jeepers_Creepers

Absolutely - 4 should be cost effective.

Happy New Rads