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How easy is it to put thermostats on radiators?
I am finding it impossible to find a plumber to do the work.... and my gas central heating radiators don't have thermostats. Where thermostats would go the screws seem to be permanently locked on OPEN/FULL meaning that some rooms (downstairs loo, bedrooms) get heated when they're seldom used, or when minimum heating is needed.
I have seen DIY kits in Focus and B&Q which suggest it's possible to change the radiator fittings without draining the system. Every time I speak to "an expert", I get one of those replies that starts with a *hiss* followed by a sentence that includes "draining the system".
How easy is it actually to put on thermostats without draining the system? Are these DIY non-system draining kits worth the money and do they work?
The boiler is a combi boiler (water and heating). And I did notice, alongside the thermostats in B&Q, an additional bit of kit that suggested it was all that was needed to put the thermostats on individual radiators. Hope this expands the question to enable answers.
Hi Buster. It's a BAXI boiler. The SWALEC engineer (prior to covering against breakdowns) said it's about 3 years old.
Yes you will have to drain the system, or at lest part drain.
To fit a thermostatic radiator valve you will have to remove the lock shield valve from the flow end of the radiator and replace it with the new valve. You cant do this with water in the radiator as it will squirt out all over the room.
Its not hard to drain the system, should only take 30 Min's. and it will remove some of the sludge in the system (system will work better without sludge build up).
What system do you have? with more information I can tell you haw to do the job.
(plumber)
p.s I would not buy cheaply made valves from B&Q etc. chose a good brand like 'Danfoss'. more relable.