Adige Blog

Once upon a time, most families were lucky to have a tin bath for special occasions. But times have changed and modern households can easily have two, three or even four bathrooms and en-suites. However, some smaller properties only have room for one small bathroom, so the question of whether a shower would be more space efficient is a pertinent one. Naturally there isn’t a straight forward answer, so if you are wondering whether to swap your bath for a power shower, or vice versa, here are a few points to bear in mind. Water Consumption According to the study, the average eight-minute shower used 62 litres of hot water, and some power showers can use up to 136 litres, compared with an average bath's 80 litres. Even four minutes under a water-inefficient power shower still uses less water than the average bath. Using less water in the bathroom isn’t just about the environment – there is a strong link between the hot water you use and the size of your energy bill.

Advantages of a Bath

Most homes have at least one bath, but we all lead busy lives so in this day and age, a bath might not be right for your home. However, there are some advantages to installing a bath rather than a shower.

• Kids – Younger children love baths. It gives them a chance to play in warm water and relaxes them just in time for bed. Parents can also have a bath at the same time, which is useful when you have a baby as well as a toddler.
• Joint problems – For anyone suffering with the pain of arthritis, soaking in a hot bath can be a huge comfort. It won’t cure the disease, but the heat of a bath can significantly soothe the symptoms.
• Relaxation – At the end of a long, stressful day, nothing beats lying in a nice, hot bath, with a glass of wine nearby and a few scented candles dotted around the bathroom. After about thirty minutes, you might actually feel human again.

Advantages of a Shower

• Speed – Running a bath takes time, and when you are late for work, time is something you probably don’t have. It is possible to have a quick shower in less than five minutes, so showers are the ideal solution for busy people.
• Mobility issues – It isn’t easy climbing into a bath when you are crippled with arthritis or you have some other serious mobility issue. A shower is more suitable for those who are unable to sit down without help. Showers can also be adapted for wheelchair users.
• Space – A small shower cubicle takes up less space than a large bath, so if your bathroom is a touch on the ‘compact’ size, installing a shower will give you more room to play with. Showers are also more suited to en-suite bathrooms because of the space issue.

Selling a Home

No matter what your preference is, should there be any possibility that you might need to sell your home in the future, be careful of removing a bath and replacing it with a shower. Most people, in particular families, are going to want a bath and a property without one is likely to be less attractive to potential buyers. So bear this in mind.

The ideal solution is to have both. If space is a problem, consider installing a bath-shower as this will take up less room than a shower cubicle and separate bath. And don’t forget to look at towel rails with electric options for an extra ‘wow’ factor.

Bathrooms are no different to any other room in the home—they look fantastic when you first have a new bathroom suite fitted, but as the months and years pass, the décor begins to fade and everything starts too look tired and past its sell by date. Ripping out the entire bathroom is a costly exercise, but don’t despair because there are cheaper ways of giving your bathroom a fresh new look. So if the seaside appeals, here are a few tips on how to give a bathroom a seaside theme.

Paint the Bathroom in Seaside Colours

Use colour to create a seaside theme in an otherwise boring bathroom. Paint the ceiling pale blue and continue the blue colour down the walls about two thirds of the way. Next, using a soft cloth or sponge and some white paint, paint fluffy clouds on the ceiling for a touch of tranquillity. Wood cladding also goes well in a seaside themed bathroom, so use tongue and groove cladding for the lower wall and bath panel. Paint it with diluted white paint.

Distressed Beach Wood

Distressed wood is perfect for a seaside bathroom. Look for storage cabinets and shelves made from distressed or whitewashed wood. Alternatively, buy an old cupboard, sand it down, wash it with diluted paint, and then apply a coating of protective wax.

Use Pretty Sea Shells

Sea shells are perfect for a seaside themed bathroom. Bags of small shells can be bought from shops in coastal resort towns, or you can spend an afternoon collecting your own shells. These can then be used to create an attractive decorative feature around mirror frames or along the edge of your tongue and groove wall cladding. Alternatively, if you can’t find any shells, improvise and stencil some shells on to the wall or buy a few shell design decorative tiles.

Choose a Watery Themed Floor

A new floor will add some pizzazz to an old bathroom, but if you are opting for a seaside theme, it is important to choose the right flooring. Vinyl floor is a good choice for a bathroom as it is relatively inexpensive, waterproof and easy to clean. There are some fantastic designs to choose from, including ones that look as if you have pebbles on the floor, which would be a great choice in a bathroom. You could also sand down the floorboards if they are in good condition and then wax or whitewash them for a distressed look.

Add Some Watery Accessories

Accessories really finish off a bathroom to perfection. For a seaside theme, look for accessories that have fishes, shells or boats as part of the design. An abstract pebble modern art canvas or a fishy shower curtain will look great. And don’t forget extras like a pebble toilet seat, a nautical striped bath mat or a window blind with a sea shell print.

Nautical Shelves

Shelves are always useful in a bathroom, so put up some shelves, paint them blue, and fill them with cute seaside themed ornaments such as miniature boats and fishes. And don’t forget to add designer towel radiators to complete the stunning new look.

Plumbing emergencies come in all shapes and sizes, from blocked toilets and leaking radiators to burst pipes and broken taps. However, some problems are more urgent than others. For example, you shouldn’t ignore a blocked toilet or a burst pipe whereas a leaking radiator could be left for a bit longer as long as you placed a container under the leaking section of pipe. So if the worst happens and you end up dealing with a plumbing emergency, what do you need to do?

Turn the Water Off Immediately

Hopefully you will know where the stop tap is in the event of a plumbing emergency. In most houses the stop tap is either under the kitchen sink or where the water meter is. However, it could be outside or in a basement if you have one. If you don’t have a clue, it is a seriously good idea to find out well in advance where the stop tap is, or you could end up with a larger than necessary flood should the worst happen and a pipe bursts.

Do Some Damage Limitation

Once water starts spewing everywhere, you need to try and contain the mess as quickly as possible. Grab bowls and place them under the leak to catch as much water as you can. If this isn’t practical for whatever reason, use towels to soak up the water until you are able to disconnect the water supply. If the water is leaking out faster than you can cope with, find someone to empty pots and bowls, or help you scoop water out and into the nearest drain.

Move Furniture and Valuables Out of the Way

Water can wreak havoc as anyone affected by flooding will be all too aware. Water soaks into soft furnishings and carpets very easily, and therefore causes a lot of damage in a short space of time. Water can also damage electrical goods, so it is a good idea to move any vulnerable items well out of the way. If the leak is perilously close to electrical outlets or has already affected electrical equipment, be very careful before you move these items. To be on the safe side, turn off the electricity supply first.

Call the Emergency Plumber

Once you have done some damage limitation, if you are not in a position to fix the problem yourself, you need to contact an emergency plumber. Hopefully you already know a good plumber, but if you are forced to go looking online for someone local, do make sure you are clear about what their call-out fee is before you ask them to come and fix the damage. Don’t forget to check whether you have emergency cover under an insurance policy—some bank current accounts offer this kind of extra as part of their package.

Deal with the Aftermath

De-humidifiers are very useful for drying out damp rooms in the aftermath of a leak. Sodden carpets and furnishings can take a while to dry out, particularly in the winter. A de-humidifier can speed up the process and make the room habitable a lot quicker. And if the damage is extensive, consider claiming on your home insurance policy to replace your old leaky radiator for new ADIGE towel radiators.

The average plumber has dozens of tools in his box: wrenches, screwdrivers, spare washers and bits of pipe. He will use all of them at any given time, but the one piece of kit he won't be able to do without is a roll of PTFE tape. PTFE tape is commonly known as 'plumber's tape', and for a very good reason. This stuff is incredibly useful. However, as useful as PTFE tape is, you do need to use it correctly or it won't be able to do its job.

SLIZZA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 1300mm High

Product Code: SLZ5013A

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500mm wide and 1300mm high square-tubed S-shaped anthracite designer towel radiator with 516 Watt - 1760 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

£259.99 inc. VAT

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EMRENO Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 500mm Wide 800mm High

Product Code: EMR5080C

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500mm wide and 800mm high rectangular tubed chrome plated ladder style designer towel radiator with 274 Watt - 934 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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WAVE Chrome Designer Towel Radiator - 1200mm Wide 635mm High

Product Code: WV1260C

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1200mm wide and 635mm high horizontal wavy-shaped chrome designer towel radiator with 331 Watt - 1128 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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SONAVA Designer Anthracite Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High

Product Code: SNV6012A

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600mm wide and 1200mm high rectangular horizontal tubed on round vertical tubes designer anthracite towel radiator with 746 Watt - 2544 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

£200.00 inc. VAT £249.99 inc. VAT

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DIVERI Anthracite Bathroom Towel Radiator - 600mm Wide 1200mm High

Product Code: DVR6012A

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600mm wide and 1200mm high anthracite designer towel radiator with 520 Watt - 1774 BTU/h @ Delta 50.

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What is PTFE Tape?

PTFE tape is a polytetrafluoroethylene film made into a tape. It makes an excellent lubricant and can be used to tighten the seal on a pipe, which is why it is so useful in plumbing situations. Most plumbers use PTFE tape on metal-to-metal screw thread joints. Rather than risking ruining the thread on the joint by tightening it up too much, putting some PTFE tape on before you tighten the nut gives you a much better seal whilst protecting the thread.

What is PTFE Tape Used For?

You can use PTFE tape anywhere there is a compression joint between two sections of pipe. Compression joints on brand new pipe work should be fine without PTFE tape, but older pipework is more likely to weep when things are moved around, i.e. you are changing a radiator over. This is why PTFE tape is commonly used when fitting taps and radiators. Use of PTFE tape, plus a thin coat of plumber's jointing compound, will ensure a nice tight seal and prevent leaks.

How to Use PTFE Tape?

There is a right way and a wrong way to use PTFE tape. The right way is to wrap it clockwise around the thread of the joint. The easiest way to remember which way to wind the tape is to hold the pipe in your left hand and apply the tape with your right hand. Wrap the tape over the thread/tap or whatever else you are using it for, and unroll the tape away from your body. If you are left handed, do it the opposite way so that you hold the joint with your right hand and unwrap the tape towards your body. This means the tape will tighten in the right direction and not unravel when you tighten the nut. Wrapping PTFE tape three times around the joint is enough—any more than that and you risk overloading the thread with tape.

Unusual Uses for PTFE Tape

Although PTFE tape is normally used in plumbing situations, it can be used elsewhere. One unusual use for PTFE tape is in piercings. Because the tape is inert and won't cause a reaction in the body, some people use it to stretch piercings. Wrapping tape around the plug will force the hole to enlarge.

PTFE tape is readily available from all good DIY stores. PTFE tape is inexpensive, but something that is definitely worth keeping in your toolbox for when you do some plumbing work or fit dual fuel heated towel rails.

Everyone knows that a brand new fitted kitchen can really add value to a property and in an ideal world we would all be having new kitchens fitted this weekend. Sadly new fitted kitchens cost a proverbial arm and leg and unless you have recently come into a nice lottery win, you are probably thinking more along the lines of putting up with what you currently have. But fear not because there are a few simple things you can do to give your battered old kitchen a new lease of life!

Revamp the Cabinets

Unless the underlying carcases are falling apart, there is a lot you can do to improve the appearance of tired looking kitchen cabinets. Solid wood doors can be sanded down, stained or painted with eggshell gloss, which will completely change the look of your kitchen. Or you could have new door fronts fitted—there are plenty of companies that offer replacement kitchen cabinet doors to fit cupboards of all different shapes and sizes. Even changing the door handles will make a difference, so give it a go.

Credits to Women24

New Worktops and Sink

Kitchen worktops usually show signs of wear and tear after a few years. Scratches, burn marks, scuffs and stains all add up to make a kitchen look less than attractive. However, worktops are relatively inexpensive to replace (unless you have a hankering for new granite worktops) and if you change the sink and taps over at the same time, it will feel like you have a brand new kitchen.

Different Tiles

Tiles can make the difference between a stylish kitchen and an old fashioned one. Are your tiles circa 1975? Do they have cute little pictures of onions and apples on them? If so you are in desperate need of a kitchen makeover. Start removing your tiles immediately and then go shopping for some nice new ones. Plain coloured square tiles look great and are not too expensive. Or if you are comfortable spending more money, opt for a glass or metal splash back for a more modern feel. Either way it will be a vast improvement on what you have already.

Shabby Chic Style

Refurbishing a table and chairs or kitchen dresser is a great way to add some style to a dining kitchen. Shabby chic is all the rage right now, so if you have an old pine dresser or table and chairs, sand them down and paint them cream or white to give them an antique feel. For a more distressed look, use several different layers of paint in pale shades and sand the item down to reveal the underlying colour. Once you are happy with the paint finish, wax or polish the piece to complete the shabby chic look.

Lick of Paint

If painting the furniture is a step too far, even giving the walls a fresh coat of paint will make a huge difference. Go for a bold colour and accessorise with a new kettle and other bits and pieces. Get rid of that greasy old window blind and buy a smart new fabric or wooden Venetian blind.

Sometimes there just isn’t enough money in the pot to do everything you want, in which case you need to be selective about the things you can afford to do. Perhaps you need to replace an old rusty radiator. If so, look at designer chrome towel rails and vertical radiators as these will give a nice modern slant to the room, and in conjunction with a new worktop and sink, it will feel as if you have a brand new kitchen. But if money is really tight, just buy some new tea towels and paint the wall a different colour. It isn’t ideal, but it is better than nothing.

Once upon a time, a bathroom was the least important room in a home. In fact it wasn't until fairly recently that many homes had the luxury of indoor bathrooms at all.  In our grandparent's day, having a bath meant placing a metal tub in front of the fire and filling it with hot water. Everyone had to share the bath and the last person in was extremely unlucky. And as for the toilet, well as long as you didn't mind a trek outdoors and were not afraid of the dark and a few spiders, you were fine.

Thankfully times have changed and all modern homes come fully equipped with a bathroom large or small. Unfortunately, in a larger home, many families soon discover that having just one bathroom is simply not enough and everyone is forced to queue up in the morning just to have a shower.

Adding an en suite to the master bedroom can make life a lot easier, but only if the job is done properly. So what are the dos and don'ts of building an en suite and what pitfalls should you try and avoid?

Do Plan the Space Carefully

En suites are usually on the small side because you are 'borrowing' space from either the master bedroom or an adjacent room/cupboard. Because of this, you need to plan everything down to the tiniest detail. For example, say you want a large walk in shower, think about whether it will fit in the space and leave you enough room for everything else. If you are forced to work with very little space, look at space-saving sinks, bi-folding shower doors and space saving heated towel rails for small bathrooms.

Do Ensure there is Adequate Ventilation

Ventilation is always important in a bathroom of any description, but if the proposed en suite is internal, ventilation is even more important. Make sure that any extractor fan you install is sufficient for the space or you could end up with mould, mildew and all kinds of damp problems.

Don't Sacrifice a Bedroom

Whilst an en suite can add value to a property, it won't add value if you are building an en suite at the expense of a bedroom. Bedrooms sell houses and if you lose a bedroom any increase in value gained from a new en suite will be wiped out by the loss of a bedroom. You should also be careful of sacrificing excessive space in a bedroom. En suites are always a desirable selling feature, but not when the bedroom floor space has been slashed in half in the process and you can no longer reach the wardrobe without climbing over the bed.

Don't Use Dark Colours

Most en suites are very small and compact. This means that you need to be careful when planning the décor and choosing tiles, floor coverings and other decorative features. Black tiles and a dark floor might look sexy in a large, spacious bathroom, but in a tiny, windowless en suite you will probably feel as if you have been entombed every time you use the toilet. For best results, stick to white sanitary ware and light colours everywhere else. And don't forget to make sure you have adequate lighting.

Adding an en suite to the master bedroom can easily add between £10,000 and £20,000 to a property, but only if the conversion is done to a high standard. If you decide to do the work yourself, make sure you are proficient in all the necessary skills. And finally, make sure your boiler can cope with additions to the heating circuit.

Once kids come along it won't be long before your home begins to feel cramped. You will long for somewhere out of the way to store baby and toddler detritus, and as the kids grow older, an extra room can be a place for them to play computer games and do homework. One answer to the perennial problem of space (or lack thereof) is to move to a larger property, but this is an expensive solution and there is no guarantee you will find a larger house within your budget. You may also be reluctant to move when your current home is near the kids' school and other important amenities. Extending the downstairs is one way of adding extra living space, but should you go for a conservatory or splash out on a full-blown extension?

Cost

There is a cost difference between a conservatory and an extension. Generally speaking, a conservatory will be the cheaper option although this does depend on what specification you go for. However, conservatories are more expensive than they used to be because they now have to be better insulated, so if you go for a top quality installation, you could end up paying more than you would for a small single storey extension with a window and door.

Longevity

Extensions are built to last, so as long as the builder does a good job, it should last as long as the rest of the house. Conservatories are different. Most of them start to look a bit scruffy after a few years and after 20 years you will probably need a new one. 

Heating

The biggest disadvantage of conservatories is that they are too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, even with blinds fitted. It is possible to enjoy use of a conservatory all year round, but you need to install an effective form of heating and avoid building it in a south facing location. Underfloor heating and Adige vertical radiators will help, as will a wood burner, but you will almost certainly get more use out of a brick built extension.

Adding Value

Conservatories and extensions both add value to a home, but how big a price tag will depend on a multitude of factors. A large bespoke conservatory in keeping with the style of the home will be a major selling point, as will a well thought out extension, but if the workmanship is shoddy or the structure has seen better days, you won't gain anything when you come to sell. The same applies if you have sacrificed most of your garden in the process.

Light

One area where a conservatory trumps an extension hands down is light. By their very nature a conservatory allows lots of natural light into the space. You won't have the same effect with an extension because building regulations restrict the number of windows and doors you can have.

Views

Another area where conservatories win is the view. Acres of glass in a conservatory means you can enjoy full panoramic views of your garden, whereas even with French windows or a patio door in an extension, the effect is not the same. Of course if your garden is a weed infested doggy toilet then you probably won't be too concerned about enjoying the vista, in which case an extension could be a better bet.

Ultimately, whether you go for a conservatory or have an extension built will come down to personal preference. There is no right or wrong and if you don't plan on staying in the property for more than five years, you don't need to worry about the structure falling down. But whatever you decide upon, make sure you obtain several quotes and always use a reputable contractor.

There are very few things more annoying in life than a broken down central heating boiler. Boilers invariably break down at the most inconvenient time—typically when the temperature outside is below zero and your bank account is running on empty. But before you call out a heating engineer, there are a few things you should check.

No Fuel

Mains gas boilers don’t run out of fuel because the gas supply is continuous (unless you have been cut off for any reason), but if you have an oil or LPG boiler, check that you still have fuel in the tank.

Water Pressure is Too Low

If the water pressure inside the boiler falls below a certain level, the boiler will stop working. This can happen for many reasons, but recent plumbing work is a common cause of low water pressure. For example, if you have removed a radiator from the system or you had a leak, you should always top up the water pressure inside the boiler. A failure to do so will cause the boiler to lock out. A noisy boiler is an early warning sign of low water pressure, so be alert.

Boiler Lock-Out

Is the boiler lock out light on? If in doubt about what you are looking at, check the manual, but if the lock out light is on, press the reset button to get the boiler going again. All being well the boiler should resume normal service without any problem, but if it keeps locking out you need to call a heating engineer to identify what the underlying problem is.

Pilot Light

Gas boilers have a pilot light, so check whether this is lit. If it isn’t, try re-lighting it.  Sometimes a strong draft can blow the pilot light out, but should the problem recur, you have a more serious problem to contend with.

Check the Power

It may sound obvious, but is there any power to the boiler? Check to see if there are lights on and if there is no sign of life, try replacing the main fuse.

Dodgy Thermostat

The room thermostat is supposed to tell the boiler when to come on. If your boiler has failed to fire up even though it would normally be on at this time, check the thermostat control panel. If it is a wireless unit, try replacing the batteries, and if all else fails, press the re-set button.

Frozen Condensate Pipe

This is a problem associated with exceptionally cold weather. A condensate pipe removes waste water from the boiler, usually into an outside drain. Unfortunately, condensate pipes are prone to freezing when the temperature drops too low. When the pipe freezes it creates a blockage and water backs up inside the boiler, triggering a lock down. The condensate pipe will need to be thawed out, but this must be done very carefully. Use warm water or a heat pad to gently thaw out the pipe, and if in doubt, call a qualified heating engineer.

Call the Engineer

Boilers are tricky things and there are many things that can go wrong with them. Once you have checked all the obvious things and the boiler still isn’t working, it is time to call out an engineer. Hopefully you have a maintenance contract and the visit won’t cost you a thing, but if you don’t, make sure you know exactly what the call-out charge is so you don’t have any nasty surprises later.

Regular Servicing

One way to prevent boiler breakdowns is to have an annual service. Regular servicing will help to prevent minor problems from snowballing into major issues, as well as make sure your boiler is safe to use.

Wet rooms are becoming increasingly popular in modern UK homes, although they have been common on the continent for many years. The beauty of a wet room is that it is uncluttered and streamlined, which for many people is their idea of a perfect bathroom. But although you may love the idea of replacing your Victoriana bathroom with an ultra stylish wet room, will it add value or would you be better spending your money on a traditional bathroom instead?

How do Wet Rooms Work?

Wet rooms don’t have shower screens—the entire room is one giant shower and instead of a conventional shower tray, the gradient of the floor is altered to allow water to drain away. For obvious reasons the room has to be completely waterproof, so the floor and walls need to be clad in waterproof materials—a waterproof membrane would normally be used before the wall is tiled. Of course you wouldn’t just have a shower in a wet room; it is normal to have a sink and toilet installed, too. You would also need to include some form of heating. Underfloor heating is a popular choice, but central heating designer towel radiators are another option.

Will a Wet Room Add Value?

Installing a wet room will definitely give your home the extra ‘wow’ factor when the time comes to sell. It will also add value as long as the wet room is properly installed. However, this is only the case if you add a wet room as an en suite or second shower room. Replacing the main family bathroom with a super modern wet room could seriously backfire on you if you later choose to sell your property. Most buyers want at least one traditional bathroom in a home, particularly if they have children, so think twice before getting rid of the bath.

Advantages of a Wet Room

• Easy to clean – There are far fewer surfaces in a wet room, which makes the job of cleaning it a lot easier.
• Mobility – Wet rooms are perfect for people with mobility issues. Wheelchair users or anyone who struggles to step into a shower cubicle or bath will find a wet room less of a challenge, although you will need to install non-slip flooring.
• Perfect for small or odd-shaped rooms – Baths take up a lot of room, so if you are building a small en suite or your bathroom in a non-standard shape, a wet room will be a space saver.

Disadvantages of a Wet Room

• Leaks - The biggest problem with a wet room is that if there are any deficiencies in the installation, you are in big trouble. Even the smallest of leaks can cause major damage, so if you have a wet room that isn’t 100% waterproof, it won’t be long before the adjacent walls and rooms below are showing signs of water damage. For this reason alone, make sure you hire a reputable and experienced contractor to carry out the work should you decide to have a wet room installed.
• Water, water everywhere – The problem with a wet room is that it can be difficult to keep things dry.

Other Considerations when Planning a Wet Room

Think very carefully about what goes where when planning a wet room. It is all very well having the toilet near the shower area, but what happens when your toilet roll turns into a pile of mush every time someone has a shower? Mushy toilet roll won’t be able to do the job for which it was intended, so you better factor in a bidet, or things could get a tad messy.

Visit our blog for more practical advice and tips on bathroom remodelling and heated towel rails.

Radiators can be a pain when the time comes to redecorate a room. Painting behind the radiator is not too difficult, but if the wall has been papered and you want to remove the old paper to either paint or repaper, the radiator is likely to be very much in the way. Most designer towel radiators have simple and easy to remove wall fixing brackets. Removing these will make your life a lot easier and if you are reasonably skilled on the DIY front, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be able to do the job yourself.

The Right Tools for the Job

• Dust sheet to protect the floor
• Adjustable spanner
• Radiator key
• Screwdrivers
• Adjustable wrench

Steps for Removing a Radiator

1. A radiator has two valves and both need to be sorted before it can be removed. First, make sure you turn the on/off valve (or thermostatic valve if you have one) into the ‘off’ position. Next, using an adjustable wrench, remove the cap from the other ‘lockshield’ valve at the opposite end of the radiator and turn it clockwise to close off the water supply.
2. To disconnect the on/off valve from the radiator inlet pipe, use an adjustable wrench to hold the valve on the vertical pipe whilst using another wrench to loosen the nut on the valve that connects the radiator to the pipe. You will need to place a bowl under the valve to collect liquid. Using a radiator key, open up the ‘bleed’ valve to break the air lock and release the water from inside the radiator.
3. Use the same technique to release the radiator from the lockshield valve. Once the radiator has been disconnected from both valves and any remaining water has been drained, it can be lifted from the wall brackets. Don’t forget to close the bleed valve at the top of the radiator.
4. Place the radiator on dust sheets or old towels to protect the floor just in case any more dirty water leaks out.

Decorating Behind the Radiator

Once the radiator has been removed, you are free to remove old wallpaper and paint the wall. You may wish to remove the wall brackets. However, if you do remove them, make sure you replace them in exactly the same place (unless you are moving the radiator to a new location).

Replacing the Radiator

Radiators are heavy, so you might need an assistant to help you lift the radiator back into position on its wall brackets. In order to prevent any annoying leaks, before connecting the valves back up again, wrap some plumber’s tape (PTFE tape) around the radiator adapter screw heads. Once the radiator is in place, tighten up the nuts holding the valves at each end. Be careful not to over-tighten them as this can lead to leaks. Open the on/off valve and bleed valve, then wait for the radiator to fill up with water. Next, open the lockshield valve at the other end and make sure both joints are not leaking. If they are, tighten them up slightly. Lastly, turn the central heating back on and make sure everything is working correctly before topping up the water pressure in the boiler again (if necessary).