Any trick to draining floor-standing cast iron radiators?

[overlander matt]

I have 3 cast iron radiators standing in a carpeted bedroom that need draining. I have not been looking forward to this...



There's very little space for a collection vessel where the valve meets the radiator. In the past, I have fashioned a small funnel from a water battle and drained it into an old roasting pan! I loosen the connection and just catch what I can. It is both slow and messy.

Just wondering if there is a trick that I have missed...

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.

 

[Cubist]

The thought occurs that you could drain the entire system down to below the floor level of the bedroom. A couple of old plastic milk bottle cartons can then be shaped to fit under the infill/outflow ports to capture any residual fluid remaining in the rads - an absorbent rag in the bottom of the milk cartons will limit any splashes.

 

[a twig]

While not cheap the “handy folding bucket” and “handy folding tray” are brilliant - the tray would be ideal for this job.

Shop Online

app.mmpos.app

No connection other than using it and it being great. Apparently invented by one of these plumbers who does a lot of social media

 

[Cubist]

Oops, that link doesn't work?

 

[a twig]

Does for me ?

 

[a twig]

They have an Amazon store as well - try this:

PBP Innovations: Handy Folding Products

Folding Bucket

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[a twig]

I’m sure similar products could be found elsewhere with a bit of searching but the bit of canvas that you Velcro around the rad valve and it then becomes a funnel into the tray is a really smart idea and you can just buy those in their own.

The actual tray has a hose connection port on it so you can drain the water to somewhere else if you are battling a particularly large rad. I’ve even seen people put a small drill powered pump inline to the hose to be able to pump the rad water out the window above or similar

 

[overlander matt]

Thanks for the ideas. Very helpful.

I have considered the folding buckets but with only 50mm below the bottom of the valve there's not much room.

Draining the zone might well be the best option in this case - there are only 6 rads in this zone so it's not as disruptive as doing the whole house.

I hadn't considered this so thank you Cubist.

 

[Flyfisher]

How about this variation on the above themes? https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-hayes-dt1-radiator-drain-kit/309pa
I see the problem about the short length of pipe below the valve though, so this may not be of much help.

Nice valve though, Bentley if I'm not mistaken, same as the ones I've used on our cast iron rads.

 

[Kearn]

Thanks for the ideas. Very helpful.

I have considered the folding buckets but with only 50mm below the bottom of the valve there's not much room.

Draining the zone might well be the best option in this case - there are only 6 rads in this zone so it's not as disruptive as doing the whole house.

I hadn't considered this so thank you Cubist.

Think that’s the only safe option, get this rad as dry as possible before you start to fiddle. The flat bucket things are great, been watching our plumbers using them lately…

We installed a couple of drain points at subtle low points for our new system to future proof works. Filling and refilling over the past year which we add/tweak the system, I’ve lost count!
Might be an option to sneak one in while you’re drained down.

 

[overlander matt]

How about this variation on the above themes? https://www.screwfix.com/p/arctic-hayes-dt1-radiator-drain-kit/309pa
I see the problem about the short length of pipe below the valve though, so this may not be of much help.

Nice valve though, Bentley if I'm not mistaken, same as the ones I've used on our cast iron rads.

That looks good too and inexpensive. I think when I only need to remove the odd radiator this will work. My last effort involved a plastic bottle and gaffer tape and wasn't the best as far as splashing the floor went!

The Bentley and equivalent valves do look good. I do have 2 similar looking valves - one that completely closes the valve and another that requires a small spacer inserting to close the valve. It leads to some strong words when you discover the type needing the spacer...

 

[overlander matt]

Think that’s the only safe option, get this rad as dry as possible before you start to fiddle. The flat bucket things are great, been watching our plumbers using them lately…

We installed a couple of drain points at subtle low points for our new system to future proof works. Filling and refilling over the past year which we add/tweak the system, I’ve lost count!
Might be an option to sneak one in while you’re drained down.

Yes, I think the drain down is the way to go on this occasion with 3 of the 6 radiators to remove. I really don't want the carpet getting a good soaking.

 

[noj]

Agree that drain down is the way to go, then ensure both valves to the rad are closed. Then just slacken one end once you've put down plastic, an old towel and got your chosen catching vessel in position.
Ideally a wet vac is your friend at this point, it sucks drips uphill!
Once you've caught any water that comes it helps if you have an assistant who can then open the bleed valve while you keep the vac running...