Warm up with new radiators

Remember those dirty-grey plastic boxes with grills at the top, or those monolithic metal bars that would have looked more at home on the set of a Mad Max movie than in your living room? These are now relics from a bygone era. The modern radiator is sleek, slim and often surprisingly stylish. Most have similar underlying technology so your main technical concern should be to ensure it’s proportional to the size of your room.

First things first, installing a radiator is going to be a pretty technical process so make certain you are happy with the task ahead and confident undertaking home DIY projects. And remember, if ever you’re in doubt then don’t hesitate to consult an expert.

To start, you’ll need a good portion of your toolbox at the ready, so assemble the following: Hose, waterproof sheeting, spanner, screwdriver, drill, tape measure, spirit level, roll of PTFE tape, corrosion inhibitor radiator valves and rawl plugs.

Start by switching off your boiler at the source, then find the isolation point – most likely a stopcock that, when closed, should block any new water from entering your heating system during the process.

Now your heating system can no longer replenish itself, locate the drain-off valve somewhere near the bottom of your boiler. Secure a hose over the end of the valve and point it somewhere water-friendly, like a sink, drain or flowerbed. When all the water has drained from your system you’re ready to remove your old radiator from the wall. Uncouple it from the pipework by undoing the valve, then unscrewing the nut connecting it to the radiator.

By measuring the dimensions of your new radiator, you should be able to sketch an outline on the wall, corresponding as closely as possible to your existing pipework. Once you’re happy with the height and width of your diagram, use your spirit level to check your proposed bracket locations are absolutely level and drill holes in the appropriate locations for rawl plugs. You can then attach your brackets, and from them, hang your radiator.

If by some stroke of luck your new radiator aligns perfectly with your existing pipework, then carry on. If not, you can make minor local modification to the pipework but any major structural change should be undertaken by the pros.

No one wants a worn-out valve undermining their sparkling new heating system so it’s advisable to purchase new valves as well. Use the accompanying nut and olive to screw your new valves on to the exposed pipework, securing them with your spanner.

The valve-radiator join is under much higher pressure so it’s time to give your PTFE tape its long-awaited debut. Tightly wrap the tape clockwise around the end of the valve two or three times.

When the valve’s screwed into the tail, it should be snug, tight and secure.

Make sure your drain-off valve is closed, then locate the dedicated fill-in point in your system – usually at a high point in your pipework. Re-fill the system slowly. Once your pressure gauge has reached its requisite point, close your fill-in point, release your isolation point and turn on the boiler.

Modern radiators are sleek, slim and often surprisingly stylish – a far cry from the dirty-grey plastic boxes with grills from yesteryear. Picture:

PA.