Replacing heated towel rail on combi system

[talktalk]

I have got a Worcester Bosch combi boiler heating system with a MagnaClean filter. The heated towel rail in the bathroom is white and rusting, so I plan to replace it with a chrome rail to reduce the likelihood of future rusting. Am I right in thinking that when I disconnect the existing towel rail that a lot of the water in the system will drain out even with the valve which controls the supply to the boiler turned off? One of the radiator valves is faulty, it won't turn off, so I need to fit a pair of new valves on the new radiator, hence the question about water draining out.

 

[Deleted member 32524]

Yes if one valve is faulty it will pour out till it can no longer flow out of the open end. You will hopefully have a drain point outside your house somewhere? Drain. , replace rad and valves, inhibitor, refill.

 

[talktalk]

Yes if one valve is faulty it will pour out till it can no longer flow out of the open end. You will hopefully have a drain point outside your house somewhere? Drain. , replace rad and valves, inhibitor, refill.

Yes, ground floor bathroom, drain nearby, thank you for that information.

 

[centralheatking]

In my experience of towel rads of any finish, the rubber washers they supply are absolute rubbish, they always leak and rust. So
do not use them. PTFE wrapped correctly is the only sound way
inc. valve leaders the bleeds on the top and the blank.
centralheatking

 

[Ben-gee]

I hate to inform you that a chrome towel rail will rust exactly the same, they are also mild steel.

The only way to stop that is go stainless steel, usually guaranteed for 25 years, but obviously more expensive.

 

[talktalk]

I hate to inform you that a chrome towel rail will rust exactly the same, they are also mild steel.

The only way to stop that is go stainless steel, usually guaranteed for 25 years, but obviously more expensive.

Will do - buy cheap, pay twice.

 

[Stu-B]

I hate to inform you that a chrome towel rail will rust exactly the same, they are also mild steel.

The only way to stop that is go stainless steel, usually guaranteed for 25 years, but obviously more expensive.

Up here we call it patina 😉

 

[talktalk]

What am I likey to be charged to have the existing towel rail (600mm by 1120mm curved) which is rusting replaced by a curved stainless steel towel rail plus a pair of new valves.
[automerge]1567973381[/automerge]

 

[centralheatking]

There are towel rads for sale everywhere at £20/30 screwfix, big sheds and local plumbers merchants ...centralheatking

 

[Scott_D]

There are towel rads for sale everywhere at £20/30 screwfix, big sheds and local plumbers merchants ...centralheatking

Not stainless steel towels though
They will be the type that rust in 6 months

 

[talktalk]

Yes, I have already got one of those, hence my request for an estimate for STAINLESS STEEL. Screwfix have a Reina Curved Ladder Towel Radiator 1200 x 500mm Stainless Steel (28769) for £316.92. But I need a 600mm width. My guess is that I am looking at spending £450 including labour and VAT, but then I am not a plumber, hence my question on here. I have asked 3 local plumbing firms for an estimate. Two said they will get back to me but haven't, one didn't respond. I would have thought that this is a straightforward job to estimate and carry out.

 

[Chuck]

I have asked 3 local plumbing firms for an estimate. Two said they will get back to me but haven't, one didn't respond. I would have thought that this is a straightforward job to estimate and carry out.

It's the wrong time of year for many people to be interested in a job that a typical customer will want to pay £30 for but will disrupt a whole morning.

Can you combine it with another job, such as your annual service, to dilute the 'nusiance factor'?

 

[talktalk]

The boiler service isn't due until next April, I haven't got any other plumbing jobs that need doing. Screwfix does a Curved Ladder Towel Radiator 1200 x 600mm Stainless Steel for £350 - that's the size I need. With new valves and rust inhibitor, plus labour and VAT, my estimate is £500. £30 is ridiculous!

 

[Ben-gee]

Sounds about right for straight forward job, assuming not lath/plaster walls etc

 

[talktalk]

The bathroom walls have got plywood sheets on wooden battens on brick walls, the top half is skimmed over with plaster, the bottom half below a dado rail has got Marbrex waterproof panels over the plywood. The copper pipes protrude through the Marbrex and connect to the valves at the bottom of the towel rail.