Radiator replacement in Exeter
Professional radiator replacement services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£110-£160
Typical Duration
2-3 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Old radiator not heating properly? I'll swap it for a new efficient model - better heat output, lower running costs. Fitted to existing pipework, no mess, tested thoroughly.
When Your Radiator's Had Its Day
Your radiator is ancient, corroded, or just doesn't put out enough heat for the room. You've turned the heating up but that room's still cold. Or the radiator's leaking from pinhole corrosion. Time for an upgrade.
💡 Pro tip: Modern radiators are far more efficient than ones from 20+ years ago. Better design, better materials, more heat for the same energy input. Your heating bills will actually go down.
Why Replace Instead Of Repair
Sometimes it's just not worth fixing the old one:
| ✅ New Radiator | ❌ Old Radiator |
|---|---|
| Modern efficient design | 30+ years old, inefficient |
| Higher heat output | Undersized for room |
| Clean, no corrosion | Rusty, pinhole leaks |
| 10+ year warranty | Already failing |
| Looks good | Battered, stained, ugly |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Remove old rad | Drain, disconnect, remove brackets, dispose |
| Fit new brackets | Level fitting for new radiator |
| Hang new rad | Connect to existing pipes, secure properly |
| Fill & test | Bleed, balance system, check for leaks |
📦 You're Left With
- New radiator fitted and working
- Better heat output
- Clean, modern looking
- Old radiator removed
- System balanced properly
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Standard single panel | 2-2.5 hrs | £110-£135 |
| Double panel or large rad | 2.5-3 hrs | £135-£160 |
| Multiple radiators | 3-4 hrs | £160-£210 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Assumes new radiator supplied by you and matches existing pipe centers.
Perfect For...
✅ Undersized radiator - room never gets warm enough
✅ Leaking old radiator - pinhole corrosion, rusty
✅ Upgrading efficiency - modern rads heat better
✅ Bathroom renovation - replace with towel rail
Why Choose Us for Radiator replacement in Exeter?
Modern efficient radiators fitted
Better heat output for same energy
Fits existing pipe positions
Bled, tested, and system balanced
What to Expect
Step 1: Remove Old Radiator
Close the valves, drain the radiator, disconnect, lift off the wall. Remove the old brackets. Old radiator goes in the van for disposal.
Step 2: Fit New Brackets
Measure up for the new radiator, mark level, drill and plug wall, secure new brackets properly. Heavy radiators need solid fixings.
Step 3: Hang New Radiator
Lift the new radiator onto brackets, connect to the existing valve tails (with new washers/olives), tighten carefully.
Step 4: Fill, Bleed, Test
Open valves, fill the radiator, bleed air out, run the heating and check it gets hot evenly. Check all connections for leaks. Balance the system if needed.
🔧 DIY Tips
Radiator replacement is doable DIY but heavy and requires some plumbing knowledge:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Adjustable spanners (2)
- Spirit level
- Drill and masonry bits
- Wall plugs and screws
- PTFE tape
- Radiator bleed key
- Bowls to catch water
- Possibly a helper (radiators are heavy)
🔩 How to do it
- Turn off heating, let radiator cool
- Close both valves (note lockshield valve position!)
- Open bleed valve with bowl underneath
- Disconnect radiator from valves
- Lift radiator off brackets (HEAVY)
- Remove old brackets
- Fit new brackets (make sure they're level)
- Hang new radiator
- Reconnect to valves with new washers
- Open valves (lockshield same position as before)
- Bleed radiator
- Check for leaks
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Wrong size radiator for the pipe centers
- Not level (looks awful, causes air pockets)
- Dropping radiator (they're heavier than you think)
- Over-tightening connections (cracks the fitting)
- Forgetting lockshield valve position (system won't balance)
- Wrong fixings for wall type (comes off wall)
💡 Pro trick: Measure your existing pipe centers precisely before buying a new radiator. Standard is usually 600mm, 500mm, or 400mm center-to-center. If your new rad doesn't quite match, adjustable valve extensions exist but it's easier to get the right size.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🔧 BTU calculation - radiators are rated in BTUs (heat output). Your room needs a certain BTU depending on size, insulation, windows, etc. I can calculate what you actually need so you're not under or over-heating.
Pipe centers - the distance between your two pipe tails. Measure this accurately before buying a radiator. Most are standard, but some older houses have odd spacing. I can work with flexible connections if needed.
Old house with thick walls? Victorian and Edwardian properties often have stone walls 500mm+ thick. Standard radiator brackets might not reach. I use extended brackets or pack out as needed.
Multiple radiators? If you're replacing several, I can do them in one visit. More efficient and you'll save on overall cost versus multiple callouts.
System flush recommended? If your old radiators are full of sludge, fitting new ones to the same system just transfers the problem. Consider a power flush or at least adding inhibitor to prevent future corrosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I just swap radiators without changing pipework?
Usually, yes. Modern radiators are designed to fit standard pipe centers (usually 600mm, 500mm, or 400mm). I measure your existing setup and get a radiator to match, or use flexible connectors if needed. No need to move pipes in most cases.
Will a new radiator heat the room better?
If your old one was undersized or knackered, yes - massively. Modern radiators are more efficient and have better heat output. I can calculate the BTUs your room needs and get you a radiator that actually does the job.
Do I need to buy the radiator first?
Either way works. If you've already bought one, I'll fit it. If not, I can advise what size and output you need, and where to get a good one. Just make sure it matches your existing pipe centers.
Will you remove my old radiator?
Yes - that's part of the job. I take the old one off, cap and remove it, fit the new brackets, hang the new radiator, connect it, bleed it, test it. Old radiator goes to the tip.
How long will I be without heating?
Just for the swap - usually 2-3 hours for a straightforward replacement. The rest of your radiators work fine while I'm doing it. I can isolate just the one I'm working on.
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Got multiple jobs?
Make the most of your first hour - I can often tackle several small tasks in one visit. List everything you need done when you call!
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