How To Remove A Radiator For Decorating: 15 Steps (with Pictures)

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove a Radiator for Decorating PDF download Download Article Author Info

Last Updated: March 10, 2025 Approved

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  • Turning Off the Radiator
    • |
  • Bleeding the Radiator
    • |
  • Removing the Radiator
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 93% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 126,919 times. Learn more...

A radiator circulates water to provide heat in a room. It is usually installed with clips or brackets on the wall, so you must remove it entirely if you want to repaint the room. You will need to shut off the radiator and bleed out the water before you try to remove it. Then, it can be removed fairly quickly until you are ready to reinstall.

Things You Should Know

  • First, turn off the radiator by twisting the valves on either side and removing the cap from each valve.
  • Set up a towel below the end of the radiator and unscrew the cap nut with an adjustable wrench, draining water into a wide bowl.
  • Get a friend to help you pick up the radiator and tip it towards the bowl, letting the rest of the water drain before storing the radiator.

Steps

Part 1 Part 1 of 3:

Turning Off the Radiator

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  1. Step 1 Turn the valves off on either side of the radiator. 1 Turn the valves off on either side of the radiator. The valves are usually located just above the base points that extend from the ground. Use a clockwise or tightening motion to turn them off.
  2. Step 2 Remove the caps from the top of these valves. 2 Remove the caps from the top of these valves. They are plastic or resin and they cover the hot metal valves. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten the valves even further.
    • Use the wrench to tighten the nuts at the top of the valve.
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  3. Step 3 See if you have thermostatic radiator valves that take the temperature of the room and turn on and off automatically. 3 See if you have thermostatic radiator valves that take the temperature of the room and turn on and off automatically. If you do, you will need to remove them and replace them with a regular cap to turn them off.
    • Use the caps that came with your radiator or use caps from a nearby radiator if they will only be used for a short time.
    • Screw the caps on tight by hand and then with an adjustable wrench.[1]
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Part 2 Part 2 of 3:

Bleeding the Radiator

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  1. Step 1 Place a towel below the end of the radiator, where the valve meets the radiator itself. 1 Place a towel below the end of the radiator, where the valve meets the radiator itself. Along with proper precaution, it will prevent damage to your room.[2]
  2. Step 2 Put a wide bowl on top of the towel and below the area where the radiator is attached to the valve. 2 Put a wide bowl on top of the towel and below the area where the radiator is attached to the valve.[3]
  3. Step 3 Keep a bucket nearby where you can drain the water in the bowl when it fills up. 3 Keep a bucket nearby where you can drain the water in the bowl when it fills up.
  4. Step 4 Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the cap nut at the point where the radiator connects to the valve. 4 Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the cap nut at the point where the radiator connects to the valve. Turn it counterclockwise until it starts to drip water. Keep turning until the flow is slightly larger.
  5. Step 5 Let the radiator bleed water in to the bowl. 5 Let the radiator bleed water in to the bowl. Unscrew it a little more when the flow stops. When you have no more water coming out, you can unscrew the cap nuts completely so that the radiator is no longer connected to the base.
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Part 3 Part 3 of 3:

Removing the Radiator

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  1. Step 1 Ask a friend to help you with this part of the process. 1 Ask a friend to help you with this part of the process. Radiators are heavy. You will also need to tip it to pour remaining water out.
  2. Step 2 Set a towel on the ground. 2 Set a towel on the ground. Place the bucket on top of it.
  3. Step 3 Make sure the radiator is free of the nuts and base assembly on either side. 3 Make sure the radiator is free of the nuts and base assembly on either side.[4]
  4. Step 4 Grab either side of the radiator. 4 Grab either side of the radiator. Lift up and out to remove the radiator from the brackets.
  5. Step 5 Tip the end of the radiator that you just used to bleed the radiator toward the bucket. 5 Tip the end of the radiator that you just used to bleed the radiator toward the bucket. Let the rest of the water flow out of it.[5]
  6. Step 6 Take the radiator to a safe place for storage until you are done decorating. 6 Take the radiator to a safe place for storage until you are done decorating.
  7. Step 7 Wipe the base valves and cap nuts. 7 Wipe the base valves and cap nuts. They often drip a little water after the radiator is removed.[6]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question Can I run the central heating with a radiator removed from the system? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, but only if a connecting pipe is installed in place of the radiator in order for the system to work correctly. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 79 Helpful 11
  • Question How do I remove a radiator that has pipes running into one end? Sujoy Shil Sujoy Shil Community Answer To remove a radiator with pipes running into one end, first turn off the heating and let the radiator cool. Shut off the water supply and drain any remaining water by loosening the nuts connecting the radiator to the pipes. Once drained, use a spanner to disconnect the radiator from the pipes. Carefully lift the radiator off its wall brackets with help if needed. If you're not reinstalling it the right away, cap the exposed pipes to prevent leaks. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
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Tips

  • Once your decorating is finished, you simply have to reverse the process. First, ensure it is on the brackets before you reconnect the cap nuts and open the valves. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench/spanner
  • Valve caps
  • Bowl
  • Bucket
  • Towels

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References

  1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eopRvzv2ZYE
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IP54Kbgnv0
  3. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-bleed-a-radiator/
  4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dP2S-Mbh0E
  5. ↑ https://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/removing_a_radiator.htm
  6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MYF34BMGhY

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 126,919 times. 142 votes - 93% Co-authors: 6 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 126,919 Categories: Radiators for Buildings Article SummaryX

Removing a radiator is a relatively simple process, but you’ll need someone to help you lift it. You'll need to turn your radiator off at the valves and place a towel under it to catch the water. Then, bleed your radiator like normal using an adjustable wrench. Once you've bled the radiator, get a friend to help you lift it up and out from its brackets. Finally, you'll need to tip it and pour the rest of the water into a bucket through the same hole you bled it from. For more tips, including how to reconnect your radiator, read on! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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    P. H.

    Aug 14, 2017

    "It made the task of radiator removal in easy to understand with visuals." Rated this article:
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About This Article

Co-authors: 6 Updated: March 10, 2025 Views: 126,919 93% of readers found this article helpful. 142 votes - 93% Click a star to add your vote P. H.

P. H.

Aug 14, 2017

"It made the task of radiator removal in easy to understand with visuals." Rated this article: Damon Slaney

Damon Slaney

Apr 19, 2020

"Straightforward helpful advice." Joe Little

Joe Little

Sep 26, 2017

"Was just so easy to follow!" Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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