The radiator circulates water to provide warmth in the room. It is usually mounted with clamps or brackets on the wall, so you must remove it completely if you want to repaint the room. You will need to turn off the radiator and drain the water before attempting to remove it. Then, it can be removed pretty quickly until you are ready to reinstall it.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Turning off the radiator
Step 1. Unscrew the valves on both sides of the radiator
The valves are usually located just above the base points that extend from the ground. Use a clockwise motion or a pulling motion to loosen them.
Step 2. Remove the covers from the top of these valves
They are plastic or gum and they cover hot metal valves. Use an adjustable wrench to loosen the valves further.
Use a wrench to loosen the nuts on the top of the valve
Step 3. See if you have thermostatic valves on your radiators that take on room temperature and turn on and off automatically
If you do, you will need to remove them and replace them with a standard cap to shut off.
- Use the caps that came with the radiator, or use the caps from an adjacent radiator if they will only be used for a short time.
- Tighten the caps tightly by hand and then with an adjustable wrench.
Part 2 of 3: Draining the Radiator
Step 1. Place a towel below the end of the radiator where the valve connects to the radiator
Along with proper precautions, this will prevent damage to your room.
Step 2. Place a wide bowl on a towel and below where the radiator is attached to the valve
Step 3. Keep a bucket nearby where you can drain the water from the bowl when it is full
Step 4. Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the nut at the point where the radiator connects to the valve
Turn it counterclockwise until water starts dripping. Continue turning until the flow is slightly larger.
Step 5. Let the water from the radiator drain into the bowl
Unscrew the nut a little more when the flow stops. When no more water comes out, you can unscrew the cap nuts completely so that the radiator is no longer connected to the base.
Part 3 of 3: Removing the Heatsink
Step 1. Ask a friend to help you with this part of the process
The radiators are heavy. You will also need to tilt it to pour out the remaining water.
Step 2. Spread the towel out on the ground
Place a bucket on top of it.
Step 3. Make sure that the radiator is free of nuts and base equipment on both sides
Step 4. Grasp both sides of the heatsink
Lift up and remove the radiator from the brackets.
Step 5. Tilt the end of the radiator you used to drain the water into the bucket
Let the rest of the water flow out of it.
Step 6. Place the radiator in a safe storage area until you complete the repair
Step 7. Wipe down the base valves and nuts
A little water often drips from them after removing the radiator.