In some cases, the installation of a new radiator may mean that your pipework requires adjustment prior to fitting. You can always use the services of a professional to carry this out, but even if you only have a little DIY experience and know-how, you could get the job done in your own time and save plenty of money by following the steps listed in this guide. Read on for simple help and advice regarding how to install a radiator and adjust your pipework.
And if you want some initial advice on the location of your radiator installation, take a look at our guide on where to position your radiator.
Step 1
Prior to commencing with the installation of your new radiator, you’ll have to first dress it to ensure it is ready to go. So to begin with, first take your radiator valve and apply PFTE tape to the tail of the valve.
Wrap the tape around the valve in a clockwise direction 17 times. Do this for both valves and remove the radiator bung.
Step 2
Screw the air vents in, taking care not to over-tighten them and thus damaging the O-ring.
Step 3
Use your adjustable wrench to wind in the rad tails, until only one thread is left visible.
You’re now ready to install your radiator.
Step 1
After your radiator has been dressed, before attaching it to the wall, you need to work out the centerpoint of where you want it to be placed. Firstly, measure the width of the wall.
Step 2
Mark the center of the radiator at the centerpoint of your wall.
Step 3
Once the centerpoint has been marked, you need to measure the center between the right and left brackets. It is advisable to do this when the radiator is led flat on the floor, facing upwards.
Step 4
Once the center has been measured, you will have to work out the height of your radiator. This can be done by measuring from the top of the top bracket, down to the foot of the bottom bracket. Again, you can simplify the process by laying the radiator flat on its back.
Step 5
From here, you should measure the height of the bottom brackets on the wall that your radiator is being fixed to. To do so, record a measurement from the floor to the middle of the valve outlet.
Step 6
When the centerpoint has been marked on the wall, you then need to measure the distance between the centerpoint and the left and right brackets.
Step 7
Mark the top and bottom brackets on your wall using your earlier measurements.
Step 8
Using your hammer drill, complete with 0.25″ masonry bit, drill and plug your wall.
Step 9
Make sure the plugs have been properly hammered into the wall prior to screwing.
Step 10
After all the brackets have been screwed in, take care to make sure that they are level. If they are, your radiator is ready to be hung.
You should first make sure your heating system has been properly drained down so you don’t have a leaking radiator. To see how to do this, check out our guide.
Step 1
Lift up the carpet.
Step 2
Lift up your floorboards to uncover the pipework. You might have more extensive pipework if you have had cast iron radiators installed in the past.
Step 3
Once the pipes have been exposed, you can proceed to mark the floor.
Step 4
To ensure that you are marking and cutting the floor in the right area, attach the valve to the radiator before recording the measurements.
Step 5
Cut the floor before attaching the valve to the radiator and bending the pipes in line (if the pipe is bigger than 0.4 inches, you will require the use of joint elbows).
Step 6
Using wire wool, clean your pipes and then measure the gap between them.
Step 7
Measure then cut the joining piece before cleaning it with wire wool.
Step 8
Add a small amount of flux to each of the joining points and inside the fittings and connect the pipes together, making sure they are inserted completely.
Step 9
You should now be prepared to solder. Heat the join using a blowtorch, until it is hot enough to melt the solder. During the application of the solder, you need to make sure it runs around the entire fitting. Allow the solder to set before wiping away any flux residue using a wet cloth wipe, and cleaning with wire wool.
Step 10
Affix the valves to your radiator on either side using an adjustable wrench. When you are satisfied that the pipework and radiator is sound, switch on your boiler and make sure that your radiator is heating up. If it is, you are ready to put your floorboards and carpet back down.
Step 11
Make a small slice in your carpet where your pipework is, using a sharp knife. You’re all done – your radiator is installed!