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How to remove a heated towel rail for decorating

Why remove a towel rail to decorate?

Removing your heated towel rail prior to decorating allows you to achieve both a flawless and professional finish to your newly decorated room.

It is also a good opportunity for you to further insulate your home by installing a radiator insulation kit that could help to save up to 30% of the heat that would otherwise disappear through the wall.

BestHeating recommends that you always have someone to help you to remove a radiator or towel rail.

What tools do I need to use?

You will need:

Remove HTR for Decorating_1_tools
  • 2x Phillips screwdrivers – small and large
  • Adjustable spanner
  • Pair of grips
  • 2x towels
  • Washing-up bowl
  • Radiator key

How do I remove a towel radiator to decorate?

Just follow these step-by-step instructions and you’ll have a freshly decorated wall in no time.

Step 1 – Close the valves

First, you’ll need to turn off the valves by turning them clockwise.

Remove HTR for Decorating_2_Turn off valve

Step 2 – Remove all containing screws

Next, use the small Phillips screwdriver and remove all the retaining screws from the wall brackets.

Remove HTR for Decorating_3_Remove bracket screw

Step 3 – Prepare your washing up bowl

Once you’ve done this, place down the two towels and a washing-up bowl underneath either of the radiator valves.

Remove HTR for Decorating_4_Place Bowl and Towel

Step 4 – Undo the valve nut

Using the adjustable spanner, undo the valve nut and pull the open outlet over the bowl.

Remove HTR for Decorating_5_Remove Valve Nut

Step 5 – Drain the towel radiator

Allow the water to drain into the bowl.

Remove HTR for Decorating_6_Drain Water

Step 6 – Open the bleed valve

Once the water has stopped open the bleed valve using the radiator key – this is to remove any remaining water in the radiator.

Remove HTR for Decorating_7_Bleed Radiator

Step 7 – Move to the other valve

Close the bleed valve and undo the other nut on the valve at the bottom of the radiator.

Remove HTR for Decorating_8_undo second nut

Step 8 – Remove & empty your towel radiator

The radiator is now ready to be removed. Gently pull the radiator away from the wall, and pour any contents into the bowl.

Remove HTR for Decorating_8_Remove Radiator from Wall

Step 9 – Make sure it is completely empty

Once you’ve removed the radiator, pour any remaining contents into the bowl, and the turn the radiator upside down to avoid any drips.

Remove HTR for Decorating_9_Drain remaining Water

Step 10 – Remove the brackets & get decorating

Remove the remaining brackets using the large Phillips screwdriver.

You are now ready to decorate.

Once you’ve finished decorating screw the brackets back into the wall and you can refit the radiator.

Remove HTR for Decorating_10_Remove Brackets

Tighten back the valve nuts and open the valves fully anti-clockwise.

The radiator is now ready for filling.

If you have a pressurised system slightly open the filling loop to top the system pressure up whilst filling.

Step 11 – Bleed the towel radiator

Bleed the radiator until it’s full of water again – it should spurt out from the bleed valve.

Remove HTR for Decorating_11_Bleed Radiator

Step 12 – Check the boiler pressure

Shut off the filling loop on your boiler between 1 and 1.5 bar.

Get someone to help to monitor the pressure to ensure you don’t over-pressurise the system.

Remove HTR for Decorating_12_Boiler Pressure

Turn the heating on and allow the system to warm up, the heated towel rail should be piping hot.

If you are still struggling…

Don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time!

If you’ve got any urgent questions or need advice from the experts, be sure to get in touch with us. Your questions might even feature them in our next blog post. Questions can be sent via the comments section below, Facebook or Twitter.

Please note: Our ‘How-To’ manuals are intended only as a guide to assist you with common home heating tasks. Please do not attempt to undertake this task if any of the instructions are unclear, or if you are in any doubt about what to do. Instead, seek advice from a professional.

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