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View Full Version : Pipes to water Radiator


duke1046
Nov 26, 2006, 10:25 AM
I have two pipes running into a radiator that is used to heat my house. One pipe for the water

To go in and the other pipe that lets the water out. How do I disconnect the pipes? Im not

Sure if I plan on moving the meater to anothet location.

Thank you for your help

labman
Nov 26, 2006, 10:53 AM
That depends on what kind they are. Newer stuff is mostly copper with soldered joints. Could have a threaded union at the heater. Otherwise, you heat the joints with a torch and pull them apart. I think a less experienced DIY could use a tubing cutter and eventually rejoin them with a Shard's Tooth connector. Expensive, but slick. More DIY resistant than PVC. I blew $9 on a tee last summer to make sure I didn't get in over my head. That was at a plumbing supply. Later I found out my Ace Hardware has them too. Don't think Lowe's does, and locally Home Depot has higher prices on a poorer selection in plumbing. Ask if they are designed for hot water heating before cutting any copper tubing.

andrewcocke
Nov 26, 2006, 02:31 PM
Is it an old boiler system?

As labman said, it would be helpful to know exactly what kind of radiator you are talking about. Some are buried in the floor, and Im not really sure how they work, the older style that runs off a boiler in the basement is most likley threaded iron pipe with unions.

Its just a matter of opening the union and moving the radiator. However let me just advise you on this, if its an older style radiator, then it handles steam. Steam enters the radiator on the incoming line, then condensates (cools) in the radiator, finally exits as water in the condensate line.

Make sure you have shut off the steam if you attempt this, if there is not steam valve, then you must bring your boiler to rest. Check with any local building codes about this as well. This project can really backfire on you if not done correctly. Any steam that expels due to leaks, or improper instalation can cause serious burns, among other problems.

Also make sure you connect the lines as they were separated.

pieceagle
May 14, 2008, 06:53 AM
If this is a water system First you will have to shut boiler down and drain system of water. Most Radiators have unions on the sides where the pipes hook to it. Now moving the radiator may change the heat in the room most are in front of windows. This was done for a reason. It makes a heat barier at the window to keep cold air warming as it enters the home.
Be careful may endup with a cold room.