how to take a radiator off the wall?

[madmondeo]

is it worth removing the radiator to simply paint the wall behind it? I know the wife will say "paint round it" or she might allow me to use a roller with a long handle to get behind it the best i can. but i would rather do a proper job and have the rad off the wall, keep the rad clean and do a proper job - or should i just be lazy and leave the rad on the wall?

[NazNomad]

http://www.google.co....um=1&ved=0CDMQ8wIwAA#

[lardhelmet]

Leave it on the wall mad - it's such a faff to get it off! Use a long handled roller brush thingy - it's so much easier!

[carrust]

Let sleeping dogs lie!!

To prevent paint getting on the rad I usually wrap it in clingfilm.

[jomifl]

for the third time in about as many months, close the two valves at the bottom of the radiator, slacken by about one quarter of a turn the coupling nuts between the valves and the rad.. This should enable you to lift the radiator off the support brackets and pivot it away from the wall ( you may need a couple of blocks to rest it on). Do not slacken the coupling nuts more than enough to enable the radiator to pivot and you will not get any leaks.( put some old towels under the couplings just in case) When the rad. is horizontal tighten the couplings until you are ready to put the rad. back

[theshedman]

I always do it the way NazNomad says for painting behind rad but if I am papering I do it the way jomifl says. Never had any complaints from OH or customers.

[Old_Geezer]

Whilst jomifl describes the way I normally do it, just this weekend I found 2 of my radiators didn't have enough play in the pipe to allow me to lift them of their brackets ! I'll either have to pull up all the boards between one end of the radiator and the other, or drain the system, or opt to have water spraying everywhere :-(

Just thought I'd share.

[Old_Geezer]

I'll keep an eye out for a large pan then :-)
I was thinking of finding some other job to do until I could face it.

[terence7556]

its like a lot of jobs you do, first time a little awkward, third time a doddle and the thing i like is i get to see the state of the water in the system cos i take the rad into the garden and hose it through. i feel its like a wee powerflush for that rad especially the downstairs rads , a bit of work but the decorating is done properly