Temporarily disconnecting a radiator

Kelly Anderson

Ok, so I am sheet rocking and sanding and finishing my hard wood floors this week and just realized I have no idea how to, temporarily remove my radiators so I can get at the wall behind, and the floor below them. I can find no information on this any where on any search engines. Can some one here guide me to the information I need?

ScottMP

Kelly

Its not that simple. What type of heating system do you have ? Is it Steam ? Is it forced hot water ?

With Steam you can disconnect a radiator ( after turning the system off )and not worry IF you work fast and don't need heat while you work. Or you can cap off the radiator and do your work. Once done re-connect the radiator.

If its forced hot water you need to drain the system remoce the radaitor and capped it off so you can re-fill the system or work in the cold and then reconnect and re-fill. Which is the short answer.

By the way did I say you need a BIG wrench to un-do the union nuts ?

Unfortunalty for a simple job of re-pairing the wall its better to get a pro to disconnect the radiator for you.

Scott

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Kelly Anderson

Thanks for the reply,

The system is forced hot water. I did notice the size of the union nuts and realized it would require a very large wrench. Did is mention that I am in Minnesota and this will prolly take a week, so they will have to be off for a while.

So say I did try to do it my self, what are the consequences if it goes wrong?

chuck shaw

the problems could be

no heat, and a flooded home.

Most plumbers and heating people have the tools necessary to do the job, and also the parts necessary to cap the lines. Or at least they have pretty quick and ready access to them.

Chuck Shaw

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Brian Macdonald_4

Rad. removal

Kelly - I am a homeowner like you, not a professional. I have removed and reinstalled hot water radiators in my 1908 home in kansas city, and it is not just a walk in the park! Getting them out is not too bad. Getting them back in without leaks can be a nightmare! If you are set on doing this yourself lay in a supply of your favorite headache medicilne.

That said, some tips that might be helpful: Clean out as much paint as you can from the joint between the union nut and the threads on the spud. Paint kind of glues the threads together. When you remove the rad., take care not to damage the mating surfaces of the union, they must be close to flawless to stand a chance of sealing up again. Before you put it back in check the mating surfaces carefully. I like to clean them with extra fine steel wool. If pitting or other irregularities are present the chances of getting a seal are slim at best. In this case here are a few tips that I think are useful. Make doughnut shaped gaskets from thin neoprene sheets and insert them between the mating faces of the union. Another option is to coat the mating surfaces with a thin layer of automotive formed in place gasket (FIPG), the kind used for water pumps. This must be allowed to cure overnight before pressureizing. Make sure the threads on the nut and spud are clean, and I like to put a little plumbers heat proof grease on them.

Good luck!

Brian

Brian Macdonald_4

Rad removal 2

Kelly - also make sure before you start you know how to properly shut down, drain, refill and bleed the system, the consequences pointed out by Mr. Shaw are pretty ugly!

Brian.