Removing Radiators without Draining

Isn't it great when someone comes up with a clever solution to an old problem. If you're not used to removing a radiator it can be a little worrying. You know the thing - undoing the connections and draining out the water. You worry about catching it all without spilling any on the carpet. Water alone wouldn't be so bad but no, it's always full of grime. Net result - stained carpets.

I got to try out a new tool for this called RadClamp. To be honest, I was a little sceptical. The idea behind it is to be able to take the radiator off without draining it.

The kit consists of two clamps and two special rubber seals mounted on a fork like arrangement. You put one of the clamps on the bottom of the radiator at each end. A link rod then fits into that. You then slaken off the nut on the valve connection and take one of the rubber seals and, as you part the connection between valve and radiator, you slip the seal into place against the radiator outlet. This seal is then held securely in place by the link rod from the clamp.

You'd think this wouldn't be strong enough to hold the water but it does. Without any air going into the radiator there's no way for it to escape.

I have to admit to being something of a chicken when it came to trying this out so I chose the bathroom radiator safe in the knowledge that the tiled floor wouldn't come to any harm if it all went wrong.

But, it did the job. A couple of drips as I opened the connections and slipped in the seals but that was all.

My only reservation would be that for larger radiators you need to be aware of the extra weight involved when they're full of water

All in all a nifty bit of kit to save draining radiators when you want to decorate behind them

The RadClamp Video shows exactly how it works:

For further info, check out their web site, www.radclamp.com