Cast Iron Rads - Fitting question

[mattpaints]

Hi all,

We'd like to take the plunge and replace our old rads with some 'reclaimed' ones from what used to be Coventry Demolition. However, I'm a bit unsure about how these chunky rads would fit with our existing pipework and I thought I'd ask here before deciding whether to place an order.

I've been told by the supplier to allow 72mm plus skirting depth to find the middle of the bush ends which basically comes to about 120mm from the wall, due to the lip on the bottom of our skirting boards. I don't want to redo the pipework coming out of the floorboards, so I'm wondering whether there is some straightforward pipework that can be done to get our current pipes (which sit very close to the wall) to fit with the new rads.

I was told to allow 45mm at each end when calculating the size of radiator that I order, but I was also wondering if allowing a bit of extra space between the existing pipes and the bush ends (ie, getting a shorter radiator length) might make the job a bit easier?

I'd really appreciate any advice that anyone can give me on this.

Many thanks
Matt

 

[rpm]

Seem to recall problems from other threads re leaks and trv valves fitting the rads etc from people doing this.

 

[Masood]

I'm wondering whether there is some straightforward pipework that can be done to get our current pipes (which sit very close to the wall) to fit with the new rads.

Shorter rads wouldn't really make a huge difference - if there is the space vertically, the rad tails could be cut very close to the floor and neat offsets put in, which can look quite elegant. Not perfect but the best of a bad job. Or you could box the pipework in under the rad.

 

[mattpaints]

Thanks both.

Masood - I have two questions! What do you mean by 'tails'? And, by offsets, do you mean slots cut into the foot of the skirting board?

Cheers
Matt

 

[Masood]

What do you mean by 'tails'?

The vertical pipes coming out of the floor into the rad valves.

And, by offsets, do you mean slots cut into the foot of the skirting board?

No, I mean 15mm pipe formed into a chicane shape with a bender, to bring them forward to meet the valves. Like this:

Supply | Specialized Supply | Sweat | Sweat Preformed Copper | Sweat Riser | No Lead Offset Riser Fitting

 

[PlumbBobBob]

the tails are the pipes coming out of the floor going to the radiator. offsets are bends in pipework to bring the tails to where they need to be for the new radiators

 

[mattpaints]

I'm glad I asked! Can't see the image on my laptop, but I can picture what you mean. That sounds like a good solution. I'll have a think.

Thanks
Matt

 

[mattpaints]

Just saw the link... that makes sense now

cheers