removal of radiators.

agent_orange_2

I have to remove two radiators from a room I am having skimmed. The radiator thermostats shut down to a snowflake setting. Last time I had a radiator off in another room the themostat allowed water to flow out when the weather was cold, causing a minor disaster.
I know the weather is going to be very cold over the next few nights, how do I ensure I don't get the same happening this time?

thanks for any advice.

ormus

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Compression/Compression-Blank-Capnut/invt/424951

you can fit these and cap the pipes off.

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: My OH uses these... http://www.wickes.co.uk/Speed-Fit/Speedfit-Stop-End/invt/421644

HTH

Canucklehead

derrick

Canucklehead wrote: »

Good afternoon: My OH uses these... http://www.wickes.co.uk/Speed-Fit/Speedfit-Stop-End/invt/421644

HTH

Canucklehead

They require draining the system and removing the valves! something I don't think the OP wants to do.

agent_orange_2

derrick wrote: »

They require draining the system and removing the valves! something I don't think the OP wants to do.

You're right Derrick, what I really need to know is, is there a way of
shutting the thermostat valve completely. I assume the the snowflake setting just allows warm water to go through the system to prevent any frost damage - unfortunately it isn't too helpful when the radiator is off.

Thanks

derrick

agent_orange wrote: »

You're right Derrick, what I really need to know is, is there a way of
shutting the thermostat value completly. I assume the the snowflake setting just allows warm water to go through the system to prevent any frost damage - unfortunately it isn't too helpful when the radiator is off.

Thanks

TRVs come with a "decorators cap", this enables you to replace the TRV head with the cap giving you a positive shut off, if you no longer have these caps, a visit to your local plumbers merchants or B&Q/Wickes etc, were they will have fittings to blank off the end of the valve, you require a "3/4" blank cap",ideally with a rubber washer for the seal, if no washer available, PTFE tape round the valve thread will suffice.

agent_orange_2

Many thanks Derrick

derrick

agent_orange wrote: »

I assume the the snowflake setting just allows warm water to go through the system to prevent any frost damage

You are correct about that, however these frost protection settings usually allow you to close down further to a "complete shut" if you apply a little more pressure to actually shut the valve, have you tried turning the valve off more? rather like stopping a dripping tap by tightening more to the off!

Canucklehead

Good afternoon: For future reference...
http://www.letsfixit.co.uk/html/plumbing_faq.html If you have removed several rads make sure you add central heating inhibitor to your system. When you do take a rad off for decorating etc. use that opportunity to give it a manual flush. Note: lockshields can 'let by' too... once bitten and all that!;)

Canucklehead

agent_orange_2

I removed the rads as per instructions on the link from Canucklehead (thanks).
I put on the 3/4" blank caps with the PTFE tape - all went well.
The room has now been skimmed and this morning I intended to put the rads back up, but on removing the blanking caps of the the thermostats, dispite the them being fully off ( the snowflake setting), water started dripping. The further I unscrewed the blanking cap the more the water came out. In fact, I'm pretty sure it is actually under pressure - is it because of the extreme cold? Am I going to have to drain the whole system to get these rads back on?

Many thanks for any help.

Canucklehead

Hi

If you have a hairdryer, warm the TRV head and it'll stop the flow. (keep it handy if you take take a long time to reconnect!)

Do not use PTFE on the thread of the union it just makes it harder to do up.Use PTFE on the radiator end ,on the bevelled bit, or something like Fernox external leak sealer.


Corgi Guy.