blog posts tagged with towel-radiator

Adding a new radiator or changing an existing radiator is a relatively simple job, but if you don't know one end of a valve from another, it is a good idea to ask a plumber to tackle the job. It shouldn't cost you a fortune and at least you don't have to worry about flooding the place. However, if you are reasonably competent at DIY, changing or adding a radiator in a wet central heating system (the most common type in the UK) is well within the capabilities of any DIY savvy person. However, before you begin, there are a few things you need to consider.

Can the Boiler Cope?

Boilers don't have an unlimited energy output. If there are too many radiators on a system, they will work but they won't get hot enough. So, before you go adding extra radiators all over the place, check your boiler's BTU—this will tell you the maximum output of the boiler. It is normally ok to add one or two extra radiators, but use a BTU calculator for radiators in the home and cross reference this against the boiler output.

Check It's All There

Buying a new radiator online may seem like a cheap solution, but unless you buy from a reputable company, you could end up missing a few vital pieces. The worst-case scenario is that you remove your existing radiator, only to discover that the new one doesn't have any screws to hold it and the stores are now closed. So check the package before you start the job.

Location, Location, Location

If you are installing a radiator in a new location, think carefully about where the pipes are going to go. It is a lot easier to fit a new radiator to existing pipe work than it is to pipe in from somewhere else. Do you want the pipes to feed up from the floor? If so the floor boards will have to come up, which could be messy. Give this some thought before you make a snap decision.

Air in the System

Adding a radiator means draining down the system, which invariably leads to trapped air in the pipes. Air locks are noisy, but bleeding the radiators should solve the problem.

Top Up the Boiler Pressure

Draining down the system will also reduce the water pressure in the boiler so don’t forget to top this up once you have everything running smoothly. A loud, whining pump is a symptom of low water pressure. If you ignore it the pump will eventually wear out—and a replacement pump is unlikely to be cheap!

More Inhibitor Needed

Another side effect of draining down the system is that you will need more inhibitor (the product that stops sludge building up in the system). The good news is that inhibitor isn’t very expensive.

If in doubt about your DIY skills when fitting heated towel rails for small bathrooms, call on the services of a reputable plumber to do the job. It might be more expensive, but at least your carpets won't be ruined.

While it still feels like December/January, we have gone past the Easter break and well into Spring 2013. Soon it will start to feel warmer – At least we all hope so - and many will take advantage of this warm weather by renovating their homes. Most of these renovations will also involve their bathrooms and perhaps replacing old bathroom radiators.

During the preparation period for a spring home renovation, most home-owners and especially women take forever looking for the perfect wall paper, paint, color and other features to use or implement. With an ever-growing number of designer radiators and heated towel rails on the market, it also takes a lot longer to select a new bathroom radiator. At the end some actually do give up this search during this preparation & research period. In fact many never bother to change the radiator at all. Depending on the model and type, they may well get a lick of paint but that is pretty much the only change or improvement on bathroom radiators.

It is however possible to buy a modern looking, designer towel radiator to replace your old and tired radiator. There are many variations to select from but it is not a daunting task. You will very likely need to re-arrange your pipe work to accommodate the new modern bathroom radiator. This can be done by a qualified plumber who is able to cut or extend your existing pipe work.

Most radiators on sale in the UK are made from steel, stainless steel or brass. While the first two are a more common material, last one is relatively rare. Finish on these products range from chrome, white, anthracite or other colors all of which actually look aesthetically pleasing. Whether you install your new radiator in your bathroom, lounge, kitchen or hallway, they will simply look great and improve your home.

With so many high street & online shops, range and availability, costs are relatively low nowadays compared to last decade. Prices start from as little as £70 going up to £200 or £300. If however, you have a bigger budget or wish to get something really to strike out, then you have the top end options where the price range starts from £300 or £400 and goes up to £1000’s

If you can get yourself a designer towel radiator or a heated towel rail to replace your old, outdated and tired bathroom radiator, it could form part of the décor that graces your bathroom in an affordable way.