Radiator feed too short/ too tall

Bill_chicago

I was looking into having some tube and fin convectors swapped out for cast iron radiators in a few rooms in my house.  I noticed that in some rooms the pipe coming through the floor has an elbow on it threaded down to floor level.  When the elbow is removed the pipe will probably only be about 1" out of the floor.  I was considering having the Burnham Slenderized radiators installed which have a feed opening of 2 1/2" to center.  If an elbow is put on one of the low feed pipes it will be too low, if we use a coupling, then an elbow it will be too high.  Is my only option to raise the radiator?  Can anyone recommend a way to raise it that would look finished/ neat?  Also, in another room the feed pipe looks to be about 3" over floor level, would that have to be cut and rethreaded or is there another option?

Thanks, Bill

nicholas bonham-carter

adjusting riser height

what about some ells on the shorter pipe to raise up the effective height?

for the taller pipe, the radiator could be put on small blocks. cutting and threading pipe in such close quarters is difficult. you could unscrew the riser, and replace it with one of the proper length.--nbc

Big-Al_2

I've Done It Two Ways

for a riser that's too low:



1) I installed the normal right angle radiator valve.  I used two 45 degree street elbows between the valve spud and the radiator.  By rotating them both to the right spot, I was able to make up the difference and hit the opening in the radiator.  I painted the elbows to match the radiator.  It looks OK, but not exactly elegant.



2) I took a standard pipe coupling, and tapped both ends deeper.  I put it on the end of the riser along with a close nipple.  By tapping the coupling deeper, I was able to screw the nipple in deep enough that it actually butted up to the existing pipe.  You could even trim a little off of the coupling and the close nipple to make the assembly even shorter.  I think I used JB Weld instead of pipe dope on the coupling, or maybe even RTV gasket sealer, just to make sure everything sealed up with the modified threads.  I spray painted the coupling, close nipple, and valve a hammered gold, so it all kind of looks like it's one brass assembly.  It actually looks pretty good, but painting the whole thing to match the radiator might look better.



For a too-tall riser, either the riser has to be shortened or the radiator raised.  I did that too, in one room with a hardwood floor.  I made a couple of riser blocks out of hardwood, did a little fancy routing the edges, and finished them to match the floor.  It looks like it's custom millwork and like it's supposed to be that way.  It's also easier to dust mop under that radiator.



Yes, I'm cheap.

Bill_chicago

Thanks for the help!

Will try the 45's on the short pipe.