Replacing Radiators before boiler replacement

savings37

I also fitted one of those drain valve lock shields while I could 👍

ThisIsWeird

You could always fully shut off all the other rads whilst you swap the one you're working on - close both ends. BUT, always note the exact position of the lockshields, so you can return them to the same place afterwards - eg by taping a paper flag on the spindle, and writing down how many turns and part turns it took to close. 

Did you drain the F&E, or plug it? If 'drain', then there will obviously be a lot of air drawn in. If airlocks become a regular problem and time-consuming nuisance, then you can try back-filling the system via the drain hose instead! Nice and slow and steady, and stop when the F&E tank begins to fill from the bottom. Then close the draincock, and release the ball valve. But make sure the hose can't pop off in use, cos it'll be wet...

ChasingtheWelshdream

savings37 said:

One thing I noticed when I drained the system, I was working on the lowest rad but the other downstairs rads all had water trying to come out of the bleed valve when I opened them. Almost as if the system wasn't fully empty 😕

Apologies if this sounds silly and obvious, I only ask as I didn’t realise the first time I drained my system and had the same thing.

Are your ground floor radiators drop feeds, where each rad has the pipes dropping down from the floor above? Often used where ground floors are solid and the pipes don’t run underneath. If so they would each need draining individually to empty the whole system, ideally with each rad having a drain valve. I say ideally, as mine sadly don’t and I am now adding as I go. 

Just a thought if you do want to carry on.