Plaseter Skim - Remove radiators or not?

jawa1

Do Plasters skimming a wall tend to remove radiators or not?

ormus

no they dont.
but its best to remove them anyways. makes a better finished job and easier.

ask me how i know!:o

debbie42

All the quotes I had for mine didn't include rad removal, and I had to get that done separately. The plasterer who did the final job recommended a plumber to do the work.

To second what the last poster said, I'd defintely have them removed if you're skimming the walls!

never_enough

Do remove them or you wont get a decent finish.

benjdr

Removing radiators is not the hardest job in the world, so if you have some semi handy around, why not save a few bob?
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/removing_a_radiator.htm

cargo

Yes best to have them removed.
I always request this before I carry out the reskim.
As last poster says it is not the hardest job to do but invariably I end up with a dripping radiator valve when I do them so I learn,t many years ago it is not worth the stress.
I want my customers to remember nice clean smooth walls that I left them with.
Not leaking radiators.

Toiletduck

jawa1 wrote: »

Do Plasters skimming a wall tend to remove radiators or not?

I just had a re skim and removed the radiator myself, it was actually quite easy, although getting the valve to shut tight with it off took a bit of effort. Makes a much neater job though - just remember to mark off where the radiator mounting points are on your skirting boards or youll have trouble lining up the pipes when you put it back on.

jawa1

Thanks, I thought they might be able to plaster around them but i guess not?

Will wait till spring / summer then and drain the system and take them off, just have to make sure all the right chemicals are put back in.

flang

In most cases you wont need to drain all of your heating system, you should have valves each side of the radiator.

jason_s_2

I never remove rads,always down to the customer. If i was to remove the rad the refit it and at some stage there was a leak then it is down to me,and in some circumstances the insurance will be void as a qualified tradesman never removed it.

Jase

HugoSP

I've removed and refitted rads for plasterers, decorators etc. I also plaster, but don't decorate.

I am a cowboy/general handyman, and plumbing is not an issue for me, so I probably would go to the trouble of doing this myself and charging the customer accordingly.

Mind you, I have a separate trolly type toolbox for plumbing tools so I come with all the PTFE tape, plumbers blue, hemp and boss wipe etc etc.

TBH I have had the odd problem but nothing major, and its always been as a result of valves sticking open, and dry solder joints etc that only need the slightest movement to set off after remaining undisturbed for decades.