Towel radiator replacement

An old towel radiator gets replaced when it rusts, leaks at the valves or simply does not suit a new bathroom. Replacing a towel radiator means draining the circuit, and in a block of flats usually involving the building manager too, because the central heating is shared by the whole riser.

How the replacement goes

• closing the valves, or draining the riser by arrangement with the building manager;
• disconnecting the old radiator and lifting it off its brackets;
• adapting the connections to the new model, often replacing the valves;
• fitting the new brackets and radiator, filling and bleeding;
• checking for leaks and that it heats once the heating is back on.

Different centres, different valves

A new towel radiator rarely has exactly the same connection centres as the old one. The difference is taken up with adjustable connectors or a small pipe alteration. If the new model is bigger or moves to another spot, the alteration is larger and may need chasing. It is worth replacing the valves at the same time: old ones often no longer close fully, and replacing them later means draining down again.

When to replace it

Easiest outside the heating season, when no hot water is circulating in the riser. It can be done during the season, but the date has to be agreed with the building manager in advance, and neighbours on the same riser will lose heating briefly.

Common questions