Alternative way to drain CH/pipework/...

I use a dustpan to catch the water when I remove a rad.

When I was doing a mod to the plumbing in my cloakroom I put a couple of pipes through the wall so that I could drain the cold pipes and also the CH system on the outside of the house where there is a gulley. Instead of the usual drain valve I've used a washing machine connector on the cold pipe and this very conveniently has the right thread for a garden hose connector.

Works for me.

R ;-)

When a plumber came to do a friends house he drained the system using a pump to suck the water out. Put one end on CH drain valve and other down drain, turned pump on. Said he did this to ensure there was no water before removing radiators and messing up people floors and walls.