November 03, 2005
Do it myself?
The last of the major flat work is scheduled to take place on Friday. Once the living room and kitchen is decorated, I'll be moving in. Unfortunately it slipped my mind to arrange for a radiator to be removed from a wall that needs painting, leaving me with two options. Option 1 involves calling the plumber to find out if he can remove it at short notice. There's a good chance that he'll be able to do so, though I'll feel slightly embarassed to ask given the number of times the radiators have gone up and come down and been shifted around. Option 2, on the other hand involves the purchase of a spanner. If we step back and look at the actual work I've done in the flat, well, there's not much to see really. I don't rate my DIY skills highly and I've been content to pay other people to labour on my behalf. It is true that I tore most of the old kitchen out with nothing but my bare hands (a strangely satisfying experience), but I haven't dealt with anything that I actually want to keep in good order - for good reason.
That said, the radiator removal process doesn't appear too complicated, at least according to these radiator removal instructions I found. I'm still a little nervous about the idea of dealing with it myself, but on the other hand what can possibly go wrong?
Speak now, or forever hold your peace...
Thought iMark at November 3, 2005 12:35 AM | TrackBack"on the other hand what can possibly go wrong?"
You do realize that is the kiss of death, right?
Posted by: Mija at November 3, 2005 03:08 AMOkay, so I haven't reviewed the instructions, but I would say that if the heating system is fuctional, then the radiator should be full or water and other chemicals. But taking if off (an not doing it 100% right, you can get air into the system that can lead to both corrosion of the system as well as radiators failing to heat all the way (or even partially- dependent on the amount of air within).
Suggestion... a) call the plumber, b) tell the painter to use a long handled small diameter roller to get behind it... option b should be the cheaper of the two and also quicker for you..
Hoping this helps
Matt
Mark. IF you decided to do this yourself (no no oh dear lord no) without any help (deities have mercy upon this poor fool) please ensure the following (oh woe the mighty flood is upon us...):
1. Estimate the number of towels you'll need. Now double that number.
2. Do NOT "just make do" with some random piece of equipment to replace the spanners.
3. Double the number of towels. Get an extra bowl.
4. Use a proper bleed key.
5. Add a few more towels. Find a bucket.
6. Do not try to commit the instructions to memory. Print them out in large font and tape them to the radiator for reference during the process.
7. Yes, more towels. And make it a big bucket.
8. Make sure the spanners are TIGHT and that you can manipulate both with ease.
9. Cover any and all fixtures and furniture in the immediate vicinity... actually, the entire room. That water's pressurized.
10. Borrow more towels. Clear the way to the sink to empty the bowls and buckets.
11. Read instructions through several times. Again. Again. Add an extra towel for each read through.
12. Warn your downstairs neighbour, especially if they're a dentist.
Images of flooded flat keep POURing through my mind... and I haven't seen the place yet.
Posted by: Kevin at November 3, 2005 05:49 AM