Temporarily removing cast iron radiator.
I’m planning on removing a cast iron radiator in my hallway. This is for three purposes: 1. To have the radiator sand-blasted, 2. to address the wall behind the radiator and 3. to tile the floor beneath the radiator. I was wondering if turning off the local radiator valve is sufficient to remove the radiator…
I’m planning on removing a cast iron radiator in my hallway. This is for three purposes: 1. To have the radiator sand-blasted, 2. to address the wall behind the radiator and 3. to tile the floor beneath the radiator.
I was wondering if turning off the local radiator valve is sufficient to remove the radiator or whether I somehow need to close off the entire water supply. It’s a hot water (not steam) radiator.
My suggestion is that whatever you decide to due wait a few more weeks until heating season is over so that you would not have to worry about it’s position relative to the other radiators. Once the system is shut down for the season, I would drain it then remove he radiator without changing the valve postions. I would have a few iron caps or plugs handy just to close the system off from work debris & critters getting into it.
A radiator in a hot water (hydronic) heating system will have two pipes connecting it to the rest of the piping circuit.
Both of those pipes are pressurized with water from the boiler controls and must be drained to allow for removal of the radiator.
If you are lucky enough to have valves on both pipe connections to the radiator, then you may be able to shut them, drain the radiator slowly, and remove it.
Whether or not you’d have to drain the entire system depends on the location of the radiator in relation to the rest of the system and the type of system you have installed.
With all due respect, asking this question sort of suggests it may not be a DIY project within the scope of your ability.
I’d seek help from a professional. It’s not an expensive task.
You need to find out where and if there is a shut-off valve between the boiler and this particular radiator. And even if there’s a valve, any pipe btw the valve and the valve will still be full of water that will have to be dealt with. The valve at the rad may or may not suffice. This will determine whether or not you need a shutdown. In any event, with warm weather approaching, you mat want to go with 11:21’s advice anyway. And then put a shut-off valve in anyway,
you don’t need to drain the whole boiler – no way. you won’t get proper advice here. use the internet, look at home repair books, talk to plumbers, etc.
you don’t need to drain the whole boiler – no way. you won’t get proper advice here. use the internet, look at home repair books, talk to plumbers, etc.
Thanks for the quick response. Anyone had any experience with this? Seems like a gargantuan task to remove just one radiator.
you need to shut down boiler and drain all water