Re using cast iron radiators

[Puddlethumper]

I'm the maintenance guy for a client who owns a 1930's ex toffee factory which is up for redevelopment into housing. In the empty office building and ex social building there are cast iron rads that they are heating to stop freezing. I've advised them to drain them but they tell me that the developers might want to re use them and if drained they will need recommissioning. I want to know if this is true as they are paying £800 a month heating bill at the moment until the weather warms up. Outline planning permission has been put forward but no actual sale yet.

 

[AMGasServices]

The gas bill boils down to how you use the system, size of radiators and number of radiators you have.

I’d probably drain the system down and let the new owners commission the system. Or ask them to pay the bill if the want to reuse the radiators.

 

[rpm]

How long you been in maintenance ?

 

[Rob Foster]

Its best not to drain cast rads for too long, they rust up big
time. If you have to then get a friend and undo them ..usually
big galvanised or steel tube.
you will need big stillson maybe up to 36 inch or even some oxy. or decent spinner petrol or lecky full size disk
then flip them and fill them up with oiky water to stop the oxudusation, offer him eff all for the rads to take away ...then put them on ebay ...done this loads of times ...I know some fellas that will buy at good price...ohh ex 1930 toffee factory ..we might call by and buy...how many any pics ? private msg me plse cash ready
regards chking

 

[Harvest Fields]

@Rob Foster I think that you are missing his point? Or am I? You have just completely baffled me!

 

[Sharp Point]

@Rob Foster I think that you are missing his point? Or am I? You have just completely baffled me!

Me too! Is he drinking again?

Rob, are you on the pop?

 

[rpm]

Whatever he is on I`m not touching it!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

hes talking about taking them out strapping them to a steel tube to stop them bending as much and damaging them

 

[rpm]

hes talking about taking them out strapping them to a steel tube to stop them bending as much and damaging them

Yeah and what`s the rest of it?

 

[Pickwickpick]

Yeah and what`s the rest of it?

Think he wants to buy the radiators.


Or possibly the toffee factory...


He definitely wants pics and has cash waiting though

 

[Rob Foster]

Think he wants to buy the radiators.


Or possibly the toffee factory...


He definitely wants pics and has cash waiting though

just the rads if they are ok. pm me plse

 

[king of pipes]

Must of had a long business lunch today rob you are not making sense bud . Kop

 

[Puddlethumper]

The gas bill boils down to how you use the system, size of radiators and number of radiators you have.

I’d probably drain the system down and let the new owners commission the system. Or ask them to pay the bill if the want to reuse the radiators.

In the office block there is a mix of cast rads and rads from the 80's/90's. Cast around 20, modern about the same. I've got the heating on for an hour a day, and when it gets well below zero for two hours. First hour at about 8 in the evening and second at about 2 in the morning as that's when it's coldest. I'm no heating expert but common sense, which I hope I have a modicum, tells me that that could be best to stop freezing. Willing to be corrected.

 

[Puddlethumper]

How long you been in maintenance ?

I'm 66 and have only been in maintenance for the last 10 years.
Qualified carpenter/decorator/tiler/ kitchen fitter/ shuttering/ cement/concrete/ roofing etc. As far as plumbing is concerned I can plumb a sink in and other simple stuff but heating is a bit out there for me and I don't do lecky.

 

[Puddlethumper]

Its best not to drain cast rads for too long, they rust up big
time. If you have to then get a friend and undo them ..usually
big galvanised or steel tube.
you will need big stillson maybe up to 36 inch or even some oxy. or decent spinner petrol or lecky full size disk
then flip them and fill them up with oiky water to stop the oxudusation, offer him eff all for the rads to take away ...then put them on ebay ...done this loads of times ...I know some fellas that will buy at good price...ohh ex 1930 toffee factory ..we might call by and buy...how many any pics ? private msg me plse cash ready
regards chking

Sorry Rob, not for sale. Well, at the moment. Will keep you in mind if they do come up.

 

[rpm]

Can`t see it being coldest at 8pm tbh 2am yep it`s cold then

 

[Rob Foster]

In the office block there is a mix of cast rads and rads from the 80's/90's. Cast around 20, modern about the same. I've got the heating on for an hour a day, and when it gets well below zero for two hours. First hour at about 8 in the evening and second at about 2 in the morning as that's when it's coldest. I'm no heating expert but common sense, which I hope I have a modicum, tells me that that could be best to stop freezing. Willing to be corrected.

You could add a simple frost stat....set to 1c in the coldest position in the bulding such as a window reveal ..cheap and effective. Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[king of pipes]

I would leave it as it is a drained system like that will soon rust up pumps and valves will seize better to keep it ticking over at a reduced temperature, it will not do the building any good being without any heat at all . Kop