How to Remove a Radiator

Disconnecting a heating unit might seem like a daunting task, but learning how to remove a radiator yourself can save you hundreds of pounds in the long run. The average cost to call out a plumber to remove a radiator is upwards of £80, so taking the DIY approach is a smart move for your wallet.

Whether you're upgrading to a newer model or need to know how to remove a radiator from the wall to paint behind it, this guide will walk you through the entire process. We'll cover everything from the tools you need to the safety checks to make before you start. We'll also share expert tips from Jamie Ross, Facilities and Technical Manager at Wholesale Domestic, to make the job as smooth as possible.

Contents:

• How easy is it to remove a radiator from the wall?
• What you’ll need to remove a radiator
• Before you start
• How to remove a radiator from the wall in 6 easy steps
• What to do after you’ve removed your radiator

How easy is it to remove a radiator from the wall?

The good news is that removing a radiator is easy enough if you have the right tools, follow our instructions carefully, and have a spare pair of hands to help you lift the heavy unit. While it's simple enough to remove a central heating radiator yourself, it's highly recommended to hire a professional to remove a dual-fuel or electric radiator.

For electric radiators, you need a professional to safely disconnect the element from the electrical supply. Doing this yourself can risk damaging the cable or element, and there's special fluid inside the radiator that needs to be retained.

For dual-fuel radiators, a professional should disconnect the element from the electrical supply in the wall so that the element remains attached to the radiator. Once a professional has done this, you can treat the dual-fuel radiator as though it's a standard central heating radiator.

What you’ll need to remove a radiator

Before you get started, you'll need to gather a few essential tools to make sure the job goes smoothly.

• Plastic sheets or towels — To protect your carpets and flooring from dirty water and sludge.
• Water pump pliers —To hold the body of the valve steady while you work.
• Adjustable wrench — To loosen and tighten the nuts connecting the valves.
• Bowl to catch water — To collect the water as it drains from the unit.
• Radiator bleed key — To open the bleed valve and release the trapped air.

Before you start

Safety should always come first when working with your home's plumbing. You need to prepare the area and plan your job carefully. Because you'll be releasing air and water from the radiator, this may drip or spray a small amount of dirty water. Refitting the radiator afterwards is a much cleaner job and can be done once the wall is fully decorated and new flooring is fitted.

Make sure the central heating system is switched off completely, and the radiators have cooled down to room temperature. You'll also require a second person to help remove the radiator from the wall, as these units can be incredibly heavy. It's a good idea to predetermine a location to store the radiator while you're decorating to keep it safely out of the way.

This guide is intended to help you safely through the process, but if you're in any doubt or you don't have somebody to help you remove the radiator, please seek advice from a professional plumber.

How to remove a radiator from the wall in 6 easy steps

While it might look complicated, there are actually just 6 simple steps to safely remove your radiator from the wall.

1. Switch off the heating system

To kick things off, you'll need to shut down your central heating completely. Before you begin any practical work, wait for the entire system to cool down to prevent the risk of getting splashed by scalding water.

"Always give your heating system plenty of time to cool down before you even think about touching the valves," says Jamie. "The water inside can cause serious burns, so you want the metal to feel completely cold to the touch just to be on the safe side."

2. Isolate the radiator

Your next task is cutting off the water supply to the specific unit you're working on. To isolate it from the rest of the central heating network, you'll need to close the valves on either side.

If you have a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV), which regulates the temperature, simply twist the dial down to zero. For a manual valve, turn it clockwise as far as it'll go. On the other side, you'll usually find a lockshield valve. Pop off the plastic cover and use your adjustable wrench to turn the spindle clockwise until it stops.

Once both valves are shut, take your radiator bleed key and open the bleed valve at the top. A tiny bit of water or air may escape, but once it stops, your unit is fully isolated, and you can leave the bleed valve open.

"Counting the turns on your lockshield valve is a step a lot of people accidentally skip," explains Jamie. "Because your central heating is balanced, you'll need to open it by the exact same amount when you put everything back together. I always suggest jotting the number down on your phone so you don't forget it."

3. Drain the radiator

With the unit cut off from the main system, you're ready to empty it. Lay down your old towels or plastic sheets around the pipes to protect your flooring from any accidental spills. If you need a more thorough breakdown of this stage, take a look at our complete guide on how to drain a radiator.

Position a large bowl directly under the valve to catch the escaping water. Grab your adjustable wrench and carefully start loosening the nut that joins the valve to the main unit. You can use your water pump pliers to grip the valve body and keep it completely steady while you twist. Water will quickly begin to pour into your bowl.

"Just crack the nut open slightly at first," Jamie advises. "If you loosen it completely straight away, the water will rush out, and you'll likely miss your bowl. Take your time, and if your bowl gets full, simply tighten the nut back up with your adjustable wrench to stop the flow, empty the bowl, and start again."

4. Loosen the other valve

When the stream of water slows to a stop from the first side, move your bowl and towels over to the opposite valve. Repeat the exact same loosening process to let any remaining water drain out.

"Even when you think the unit is totally empty from the first side, there's almost always a bit of water left trapped at the other end," Jamie notes. "Slide your bowl and towels over, and carefully loosen the second valve to catch the remaining drips safely."

5. Disconnect the valves

Once you're confident the unit is completely empty, you can go ahead and fully loosen the nuts on both valves. Detach them entirely from the main body of the unit.

"Once you disconnect the valves, make sure your bleed valve at the top is closed tightly," says Jamie. "This stops any remaining dirty sludge from leaking out of the top when you inevitably tilt the unit to move it."

If you're planning to upgrade your components while the unit is off the wall, check out our guide on how to fit a radiator valve.

6. Lift the radiator off the wall

With everything disconnected, you're finally ready to take the unit off its wall brackets. Heating units are heavy, so call your second person in to help you lift it safely.

As you lift the unit clear of the brackets, carefully tilt it toward one of the open outlets over a container. This helps capture any leftover sludge or trapped water hiding at the bottom.

Now that it's off the wall, it's a smart idea to fit blanking caps onto both exposed valves. This prevents any surprise leaks if the central heating gets turned on before you've had a chance to refit the unit.

"This is where you definitely need that second pair of hands," Jamie warns. "As you lift it off the brackets, immediately tilt it to one side over your container. They're notorious for holding onto a pocket of black, sludgy water at the bottom, and you really don't want that spilling onto your floor."

What to do after you’ve removed your radiator

Once you've finished painting your wall or laying down new flooring, you'll need to secure the unit back onto its wall brackets and reconnect the valves. For a step-by-step refresher on getting it back onto the wall securely, our guide on how to fit a radiator will walk you through the process.

After everything is securely refitted, you'll have to re-pressurise your central heating. Have a look at your boiler's manual to find out how to top up the water; you'll usually use a built-in tap or valve called the filling loop to do this.

As water rushes back into the system, air will get trapped inside. You'll need to bleed the unit to let the air out, ensuring water can fully circulate.

Top tip: Summer is the best time of year to tackle decorating. Because your central heating is rarely on, you can comfortably leave the system switched off for days at a time.

Also, since you're only draining a single unit rather than the whole system, having a wet and dry vacuum nearby can drastically speed up the cleanup process and manage any unexpected spills.

Get the right radiator for your home with Wholesale Domestic

If you're looking to replace a tired old radiator in your home, explore our fantastic range of bathroom heating options. From sleek, modern designer panels to traditional column styles, we have everything you need to keep your space warm and inviting.

If you need a bit more guidance before making a purchase, have a read through our comprehensive radiator buying guide to find the perfect fit for your home.