I am finding it impossible to find a plumber to do the work.... and my gas central heating radiators don't have thermostats. Where thermostats would go the screws seem to be permanently locked on OPEN/FULL meaning that some rooms (downstairs loo, bedrooms) get heated when they're seldom used, or when minimum heating is needed.
I have seen DIY kits in Focus and B%26amp;Q which suggest it's possible to change the radiator fittings without draining the system. Every time I speak to %26quot;an expert%26quot;, I get one of those replies that starts with a *hiss* followed by a sentence that includes %26quot;draining the system%26quot;.
How easy is it actually to put on thermostats without draining the system? Are these DIY non-system draining kits worth the money and do they work?How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?Yes you will have to drain the system, or at lest part drain.
To fit a thermostatic radiator valve you will have to remove the lock shield valve from the flow end of the radiator and replace it with the new valve. You cant do this with water in the radiator as it will squirt out all over the room.
Its not hard to drain the system, should only take 30 Min's. and it will remove some of the sludge in the system (system will work better without sludge build up).
What system do you have? with more information I can tell you haw to do the job.
(plumber)
p.s I would not buy cheaply made valves from B%26amp;Q etc. chose a good brand like 'Danfoss'. more relable.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?Sorry, but Rimmer's answer is not quite correct. The radiator can be removed if both valves are closed (e.g. when decorating behind it) but if you remove either valve water will gush out all over. You need to turn off the water supply, drain all the water out of the central heating system before removing a valve. It's not a difficult DIY job but you do need to know what you are doing. Get someone who DOES know to either do it or help or just advise whilst you do it. By the way, if the valves are stuck open they can be freed fairly easily and this might be the cheapest and easiest solution. Take the plastic cap off the valve - it either pulls off or has a screw in the top, then put a spanner or some grips on the metal bit that's underneath the cap. Make sure you turn the grips clockwise. Once it's turned you will find it loosens easily. Good luckHow easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?It sounds like you have a boiler. All radiators must work, because it's on a constant flow loop. It's impossible to set boiler radiators up on seperate thermostats after the system has been installed. The system can be altered to allow multiple thermostats, but it will be costly. There would be a lot of plumbing that would need re-done.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?I would leave a job like this till the summer when you can drain the system and times not a priority, I fitted thermostats to some radiators but they weren't very reliable so if you do this make sure they are the best you can buy, which are quite expensive for the whole system. Until then I would think you would be better off making sure the on off valves are working. I have a small adjustable spanner (which fits on my keyring so shows the size of it) and use this for obstinate valves. Another point I should like to make, when you turn the radiator valve on or off there is no need to use too much force if you turn them on hard to the top when they heat up and expand this is when they lock, always turn them back half a turn the same amount of water will still flow and they will not seize.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?You have to drain the system with this boiler, if it was a conventional vented system, you can get bungs to stop air intake, but I wouldn't consider trying to do a full system with them, when you refill the system, you must add inhibitor, if not, and swalec did a water test, they will know, and any breakdown cover will be invalid.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?Okay my own system is an open vented conventional boiler so nothing like the askers. When fitting thermostatic rad valves to our horrid minibore system I drained down and got out the hacksaw to cut the pipes back enough to fit the larger thermostatic valves. Oh how I hate minibore!
Make sure that you leave a minimum load for the boiler: I believe that this is usually the bathroom radiators.
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I am curious as to how effective those freezer kits are that the DIY stores sell. Not that I'm ever likely to use one, but curioius nonetheless.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?Don't believe Rimmer, there's nothing to stop the entire system draining back through either end and most systems of any age will be full of black water which will ruin carpets etc.
Ask B%26amp;Q if you can read the instructions before buying or just buy one kit and read them but if you don't have any plumming skills don't attempt the job as you may end up having to employ a very expensive plummer anyway.How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?you will have to drain part of the heating system ,to fit thermostats to the radiators.Get a good D I Y book.Do not remove the valves before draining down!!! best of luckHow easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?A Pumber once told me that the quickest and easiest way was to put a floorcloth over the valve to minimise the water flow and then remove and replace the valve. Easy (not!)How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?Rimmer is spot on but as an added precaution make sure a) that your central heating is turned off when you do the work so it isn't pumping more water round and b) get some freezing spray from your DIY store and spray it on the pipe which feeds into the radiator (spray it then put some lagging around it - should last about 15 mins - enough time to get the job done). If in doubt get an %26quot;expert%26quot; in but tell him what you've been told here so they can't take a proverbial and make you drain the whole system... In the meantime just turn the radiators off in the rooms you're not using!How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?You don't have to drain the entire system - just the rad you are fitting the thermostat too!
Close off at inlet end - open outlet end - it might get a bit wet so take care - drain rad, then fit thermostat as instructed on the packet! re-connect outlet end. You might get a bit of air in the system but you can bleed this out with a key!
