Adige Blog

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).

Heating bills are a significant drain on most people’s household budgets. Of course it is possible to live without central heating, but it isn’t easy, especially during the cold winter months. If you have young children or elderly relatives living in your home, the cold can even be dangerous, so instead of trying to save money by switching the heating off, make your home more energy efficient instead.

Loft Insulation

Heat rises, so if you have zero or insufficient loft insulation in place, a large percentage of heat generated by your central heating will disappear through the roof of your home. This is great if you are comfortable heating the neighbourhood, but not so great if you want to save money on your heating bill. To improve things, check how much loft insulation you have. The Energy Saving Trust recommends a minimum of 270mm mineral wool loft insulation, so if you have less, top it up.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Homes also lose a lot of heat through un-insulated walls. New homes typically have cavity walls whereas older homes are more likely to have solid walls. But either way, it is possible to insulate the walls and reduce heat loss, so make sure you check the status of your walls.

Fix Draughty Windows and Doors

Doors and windows are another primary area of heat loss in the home. New double-glazed windows are very energy efficient, but if you have older timber windows, they are probably draughty and not very energy efficient. Replacing old windows with nice new ones is the ideal solution, but sadly this is a costly route to take. A cheaper option is to fit plastic film over your windows and repair any holes or gaps around the edge of the frames. In the case of ill-fitting doors, fit draught excluder strips around the edges and along the bottom, or install a heavy curtain to block draughts.

Regular Boiler Service

Ideally a boiler should be serviced every year, particularly if it is an older one. Regular servicing will help to ensure your boiler is running efficiently and reduce the likelihood of parts wearing out. If your boiler is very old, you will be able to save money by installing a new energy efficient one. You may even be eligible for a grant to do this.

Bleed Radiators

Over time air and gases can build up inside radiator circuits. These manifest as cold spots in certain radiators, so no matter how high you turn up your heating, the affected room never feels particularly hot. The best way to prevent this from happening is to bleed your radiators. Try and do this once per year.

Turn Down the Thermostat a Degree

Turning down the room thermostat a notch will make a big difference to your heating bills. Setting the thermostat to a balmy 26 degrees may make your home feel like sunny Spain, but instead of lounging around in a t-shirt and shorts whilst complaining about the price of gas, try putting a few more layers on and setting the room thermostat to 19 degrees instead. Your bank account will thank you.

Bathrooms, like kitchens, are an expensive room to renovate. Although painting the walls and changing the floor won't cost too much cash, installing a new bathroom suite or power shower is likely to be expensive, even if you do the work yourself. So is such as major bathroom makeover really worth the expense and will it add sufficient value to your home to warrant the expense?

5 Signs Your Bathroom Needs Help

• It leaks – Water dripping down the walls into the room below is not a good sign
• Mould and mildew – Are your tiles, shower curtain and ceiling black with nasty fungal infections? If so, don't expect buyers to fall over themselves to put an offer in any time soon
• Hideous colour schemes – Avocado or chocolate coloured three-piece bathroom suites may have been the height of fashion in 1970, but they are not terribly attractive these days
• Cracked appliances – Sinks and baths are not immune to damage, so replacing cracked sinks and baths is always sensible if you are planning on selling your property
• Poor layout – If it is a struggle to move between the sink and the toilet without falling headfirst into the bath, you can bet your life potential buyers will not be impressed

DIY vs. Professional Installation

DIY is obviously the cheaper option for a new bathroom installation, but do not go down this route unless you are certain you can do an exemplary job. Bathrooms are the last place you want to have problems in as water leaks can cause a huge amount of damage. A professional installation will be completed a lot faster and as long as you choose a reputable contractor, you will be protected. You may also be given a guarantee for the work, which is a useful selling point.

Bathroom Options

Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes—large, small, modern and traditional. However, before you go too mad and opt for gold-plated taps and marble tiles, think very carefully about overall style of your property. After all, there is little point in spending a fortune on a lavish Victorian-style bathroom in a two-bed semi detached starter home as buyers are more likely to want a modern suite with clean lines and simple features. Be careful about installing anything too quirky. Just because you love it, it doesn't mean potential buyers will. And remember, if you opt for an off-the-wall design, it could put off the majority of people who come to view.

Bathrooms on the Cheap

It is perfectly possible to modernise an old, tired bathroom without spending an absolute fortune. New wall tiles, a smart new heated towel rail and a new floor will go a long way towards improving a bathroom when the time comes to sell. But if your suite is outdated or damaged, look around for a smart new modern suite. There are plenty of bargains to be had if you spend some time comparing prices. Even the labour costs don't have to be exorbitant. As long as you ask for quotes from a number of reputable bathroom installers before you make a final decision, you shouldn’t end up paying over the odds.

Radiators are extremely common and the majority of UK homes have a central heating system featuring radiators in every room. When radiators are working efficiently, as soon as the central heating comes on they begin to heat up until every part of the radiator is hot. Unfortunately, over time gas and air pockets can develop inside radiators, which reduce their efficiency. This also applies to heated towel rails as they also operate the same way as conventional radiators. So if your radiators are not performing properly, here is a simple guide to bleeding a radiator.

How to Tell if a Radiator Needs Bleeding

When a radiator is piping hot from top to bottom, it is working efficiently. If, however, your radiators are hot at the bottom and cooler at the top, they probably have air and gas trapped inside them. Thankfully you don’t need to call in a plumber as bleeding radiators is a simple DIY task anyone can do.

In order to bleed a radiator, you need to open up the bleed valve, but before you do this, make sure you know which radiators in the system are affected. Since air normally rises, it is more common for upstairs radiators to require bleeding. The simplest way to check is to turn the central heating on and leave it until every radiator in the house is hot. Next, check each radiator for cold spots, but be careful not to burn your fingers in the process.

How to Bleed a Radiator

• Turn the central heating off and wait for the radiators to cool down
• Check what type of valve your radiators have – older radiators need a radiator key whereas new ones can be bled using a flat-head screwdriver
• Place a cloth under the valve to catch liquid
• Turn the valve anti-clockwise – if you hear a hissing sound, air is escaping
• As soon as liquid begins to leak out, close the valve up again
• Check the water pressure in your boiler and if necessary, top it back up
• Turn the central heating back on and check the affected radiators to ensure they are now working properly

How Often Should I Bleed My Radiators?

Radiators should be checked once a year. In most cases this will be sufficient to ensure they are working at their most efficient, but if you have had plumbing work done, it is a good idea to check them once work has been completed as air can get into the system, particularly when radiators have been removed from the central heating circuit.

If you notice that air is getting into the radiator system more frequently, have your central heating checked out by a qualified engineer because there is a problem that needs fixing.

What Not to Do

Always use a cloth to protect the area beneath the radiator valve—water inside a radiator is usually very dirty and will almost certainly stain your floor if it is allowed to squirt out everywhere.  Finally, don’t forget to tighten up the valve once you have let any air out. Leaking radiators can cause a lot of damage to flooring.

The average family bathroom suffers an awful lot of wear and tear. Teenagers spend hours in front of the mirror primping and inspecting their complexion or taking a long shower, and dad probably locks himself in there daily with a newspaper in hand. Either way, it doesn't take long for a bathroom to start looking a bit tired and worn around the edges. But fear not because there are lots of ways to give a bathroom a makeover—and you don't even need to spend a fortune doing so!

1. New Shower Screen

Shower curtains are fine if you are shopping on a budget, but if you really want to make an impression, have a smart glass shower screen fitted. Shower screens can be bought for many different types of shower bath, including the p-shaped varieties. Glass screens look a lot nicer than a plastic or fabric curtain and are less susceptible to mould and mildew in poorly ventilated bathrooms. They are also easier to keep clean.

2. Replace the Tiles

Nothing dates a bathroom like old-fashioned tiles. Take a good look at yours and decide which era they are from. If they happen to be fairly neutral, you should be ok, but if your tiles are bold, brash and reminiscent of an Austin Power's movie, consider replacing them with some new ones. Plain white tiles are always a good buy, particularly if you are unfortunate enough to be blessed with a coloured suite. But if you want some extra zing, look at stone tiles or mosaic tiles instead.

3. Heated Towel Rail

Old-fashioned radiators serve a purpose, but they don't always look very stylish. One way to correct this is to replace your old, rusty radiator with a smart new chrome heated towel rail. They come in a multitude of different sizes, so no matter how small and compact your bathroom is, you should be able to find one to suit. You don't even need a plumber to do the job if you are reasonably skilled in DIY techniques—removing and replacing a radiator is well within the capabilities of a competent DIY enthusiast. 

4. Window Blind

Unless your bathroom is an internal one, it will have a window. One way of giving a bathroom a makeover is to replace the old window covering with something a bit more stylish. Blinds are a good choice for a bathroom because they are less fussy than curtains. Wooden Venetian blinds look great, especially if you are going for a minimalist look, but if you want to add an injection of colour, look at fabric roller blinds instead. Choose an accent colour and buy matching accessories. It won't cost a fortune and your bathroom will look vastly improved.

5. De-Clutter the Space

A cluttered bathroom looks messy and is difficult to clean. If this sounds like your bathroom, give it a makeover by adding some stylish storage solutions. A good way of adding extra storage is to install a shelving unit or build a cupboard around your sink unit. It's amazing what a difference it will make if you can place all your lotions and potions out of site.

What could be more irritating than walking into your bathroom to find a damp towel in a heap on the floor? It is an age old problem that many householders face, and while not a life threatening one by any means; it is simply one of the most annoying ones.

So what is the answer to this age old problem? Pack the offending towel user out of the door? I would suggest this is probably a little extreme; perhaps a better solution could be that of a heated towel rail.

Once a feature only found in the hotel industry, heated towel rails have become increasingly popular throughout the housing industry. They offer the room a feel of luxury while offering the user a great and practical way to heat the room and dry towels in use. It is a simple process for home owners to go through to have a towel rail fitted.

If you are planning on having a heated towel rail fitted there are a few points to consider first.

• This size of your bathroom will dictate the size of rail you need to install
• Finding a reputable installer is vital to ensuring you get a great finished product
• You should consider the distance between the pipe centres for both radiators before purchasing
• You can have a heated towel radiator fitted to your existing heating system or you can choose an electric wall mounted option

If you are renovating your bathroom, it is a great idea to choose a heated towel rail. They not only keep the room warm but also enable you to dry those pesky damp towels, if you have a large family it really can be a blessing.

There are a few options for you to consider when choosing your towel rail. If you have a central heating system you can opt for a radiator towel rail that is connected to the system, it uses hot water that heats the rails.

If you don’t have central heating you can go for the electric heater. This will be heated using a heating cartridge or heating cable. There is a third option for those of you who feel that you want to conserve energy throughout the year. Despite the fact you have central heating you may not want to have this on in the summer months, you can however opt for a rail that also runs from the electric supply. You simply switch between the functions to suit your needs.

At www.towelradiator.co.uk we recommend that you use a reputable plumber or electrician to fit your towel rail for you. We have a vast selection of rails for you to choose from on our website, with easy to use filter options and categories to help you find your perfect radiator rail. For expert advice from our dedicated team, call us on 02036435897. Our experts are friendly and more than happy to help you with any aspect of our service.

One room that is often overlooked when planning the interior design of a home is the bathroom. Bathroom designs are just as important for look and functionality as the design of a living room or dining room. It should be both a room one can be proud of and relax in while attending to their showers and personal grooming needs. There are some factors to keep in mind when planning the design of a bathroom, but if those factors are kept in mind the bathroom should become a small haven within the home.

Form and function are important but they can still be beautiful. There is no need to sacrifice the look one is going for in order to achieve the function they need. There are so many options for sinks, bathtubs, heated towel rails and the other important parts of  bathroom designs that one should be able to find just the right look with just the right function if they are willing to search for it. The options might be limited by space or budget but even with those constraints, the bathroom can still be made beautiful, warm and functional.

Colour is an important part of the bathroom design. Do not just choose one colour but try to choose complimentary colours that can be brought in to the design concept as accents with things like linens, shower curtains, and perhaps even art that is up on the walls. There are many companies that offer colourful counters, tiles, and other fixtures if a person wants to have some extra pop here and there. There are increasingly more options when it comes to bathroom design features that a person might wish to explore when planning the look and feel of their bathroom design.

Interior design is not just about the main rooms of a house. It is as important to have a bathroom design that one can be proud of and relax when taking that much needed shower or bath. It can contribute to a more polished look and feel within the entire home and can simply help a person be that much more proud of their property when it is done correctly. The bathroom is growing increasingly popular as the room that is frequently remodelled or redecorated in a home. Create a plan, hire the proper professionals including one that specializes in interior design if one is not comfortable doing it themselves, and then have fun with it.

Find more useful information on;
https://www.towelradiator.co.uk/blog

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.

If you wish to add value to your property, have a moisture free bathroom and to heat up in style, it's a good investment to make. Not only you will have storage to place your towels, but your bathroom's temperature will be adequately managed. Some designer towel radiators are now used as the centre piece of the bathroom like a feature wall.

Homeowners are always looking to add a new feature to their bathrooms. Already, there are many components, objects and furniture in the bathroom like the shower and/or bathtub, sinks and toilets, clothes baskets, bath mats, cabinets and towel rails.

Although not too common in smaller bathrooms, designer towel radiators are now a necessity in the average bathroom around the country. They're a handy tool which holds towels. It's incredibly convenient for a homeowner to have a built-in towel rail in their bathroom. All the family's towels are all in one place, so they don't need to worry about travelling to their closets to grab their own towel for bathing.

What is more important is that a bathroom without sufficient heating and the changing temperatures can also affect the entire environment in a negative way, causing mold, mildew and other unsavory things to affect the bathroom. Heated towel rails are a solution to this problem. By having one of these installed, it helps to reduce the amount of moisture, humidity and mildew found in bathrooms. Heated towel rails are an inexpensive investment to make when considering ways to reduce moisture in the bathroom.

Most towel warmers or designer towel radiators are relatively inexpensive, though you're likely to find several on the market in a variety of different prices and types. In fact, the two main types of towel warmers are electric and central heating heated towel rails.

Electric towel rails have lower energy consumption rates, making them rather energy efficient since they consume the same power as your standard light bulb. Central heating type towel warmer uses the hot water heated by the boiler, mainly by running said water through the warmer's rails. Today's electric towel rails also include safety features like safety thermal fuses and automatic shut-off devices.

Towel rails can be wall mounted, floor mounted and free standing—not to mention, they come in a variety of different size, shape and styles which will fit to any bathroom’s design.

Just like any other electrical equipment, using your heating element also requires your attention. First and most important issue is to get it installed by a qualified and competent installer. No offence to anyone but not all qualified are competent and not all competent are qualified! So, a little homework to find the right person to the job is very important.

Few weeks ago we have covered the correct way of using a dual fuel towel radiator. Now let’s look at the consequences of not following the correct procedure described in our previous article. Following “ifs” will give you an idea and help you understand those important steps.

• If you do not isolate the radiator, heated water will escape to other parts of the central heating system through valves and pipes.
• If you do not loosen either the bleed or return valve, radiator will build pressure and in some cases this may lead to a leak, which may even result in a welded joint on the radiator to burst.
• If the radiator is not isolated, the poor element will end up trying very hard to heat the whole central heating system and eventually fail fairly quickly.

And here are a few tips on dual fuel use:

• Never use a thermostatic valve (TRV) on dual fuel heated towel rails. Unlike standard valves, TRV’s have either liquid, gas or wax filled sensors. It is those sensors that control the water flow.  With a standard valve, you can get a complete seal once it is completely shut. However you may not get a complete seal with TRV’s hence the heated water inside the radiator may escape.
• Always use an electric element with same or similar wattage as per your towel radiator.
• It is recommended to use a standard, non-thermostatic electric elements or thermostatic heating elements which are based on “water temperature” only.
• Never use a thermostatic heating element based on “ambiance temperature” (room temperature). As the element should be used in summer months only, your room temperature will likely be over 20 Celsius degree. Hence a room temperature controlled thermostatic element may never come on to heat the water inside the radiator.