Removing Radiators

[The Medway Handyman]

Hi All

I've heard of a gadget that allows you to remove a radiator without draining it out. Works on some kinda vacuum or something?

Anyone know what its called? Or tried one?

[Brian Reay]

They used to be advertised in the plumbing mags. You closed the lockshield valves, removed the bleed screw, screwed in the magic device (an air valve with a threaded section that fitted the bleed screw thread), opened one of the lockshields, and pumped in air. Displaced water went into header tank ( we are talking vented systems). When rad was empty, close opened lockshield, open other one for a bit of pumping, close it, and job done.

Remove rad and, when you put it back, replace the magic device with the bleed screw.

__

73 Brian

[al]

You can freeze the pipes? Need to be quick tho ....

a

[Andy Hall]

Are you thinking of the rubber bungs that Myson do for use with open vent systems?

These go in the feed and vent pipes and if you are lucky prevent water draining out.

[Roger Mills (aka Set Square)]

I've never seen a commercially available device - but, many years ago, I did make a DIY device for pumping air into the bleed hole. It uses a Schrader valve from a car tyre and can either replace the bleed pin when there's no separate bleed assembly - or can replace the whole assembly if it's 1/8" BSP. I posted a picture of it a while ago at

[jaycee]

I have used the bungs very sucessfully to fit replacement T/valves

[The Medway Handyman]

OK - what are they called and where do you get them?

[Steve Walker]

Easier to just use push-fit end-stops nowadays?

[Steve Walker]

Dave, they're just large rubber bungs. Push-fit end-stop fittings would do the same thing, without the worry of them falling out partway through the job.

[Andy Hall]

You could, but then you would have to cut the feed pipe and remake the joint.