Wobbly radiator fix in Exeter
Professional wobbly radiator fix services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60
Typical Duration
15-30 mins
Location
Exeter, Devon
Wobbly radiator secured firmly to wall. Proper fixings into solid wall - radiator stable, safe, and no risk of pulling off.
When Your Radiator's Got A Mind Of Its Own
That radiator that moves when you touch it, or you can see it's gradually pulling away from the wall? Every time you bleed it or adjust the valve, it wobbles alarmingly?
You know it's getting worse and worry that one day it'll pull clean off the wall with all the chaos that would cause.
💡 Pro tip: Wobbly radiators don't fix themselves. The movement gradually works the wall plugs looser and cracks the plaster around them. Sort it now while it's a simple fix, not after it's pulled half the plaster off.
Why Professional Fixing Matters
| ✅ Done Properly | ❌ Bodge Job |
|---|---|
| Fixings into solid wall (brick/block) | Just tightened into same crumbly plaster |
| Proper wall plugs rated for weight | Cheap plugs that'll fail again |
| Radiator level and positioned correctly | Still wonky, pipes under stress |
| Problem actually solved | Loose again in 6 months |
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Assess | Work out why brackets are loose and what wall's made of |
| Secure | New fixings into solid wall, or reposition brackets |
| Level | Make sure radiator's hung level |
| Test | Push it firmly - should be absolutely solid |
📦 You're Left With
- Radiator firmly secured
- No movement at all
- Pipes not under stress
- Safe and stable mounting
Pricing Guide
| Job Type | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Re-secure existing brackets | 15-20 mins | £60 |
| New brackets or difficult fixing | 30 mins | £60 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour). If radiator needs draining or pipes adjusting, that's extra time.
Perfect For Your Situation If...
✅ Radiator wobbles when touched - brackets working loose
✅ Visibly pulling away from wall - can see gap getting bigger
✅ Pipes look stressed - radiator's moved from original position
✅ Old plaster crumbling around brackets - needs better fixings
Why Choose Us for Wobbly radiator fix in Exeter?
Radiator secured to wall properly
New brackets if needed
Solid stable mounting
No risk of pulling off wall
What to Expect
Step 1: Diagnose The Problem
Look at the brackets, check how they're fixed, see if radiator's moved. Work out if it's failed wall plugs, crumbling plaster, or brackets not hitting solid wall.
Step 2: Fix It Properly
Might mean new wall plugs in same spots, repositioning brackets to hit solid wall, or using different fixings for the wall type. Whatever it takes to get solid mounting.
Step 3: Test It's Secure
Push the radiator firmly, try to move it. Should be absolutely solid with zero movement. Check it's level and pipes aren't under stress.
🔧 DIY Tips
This can be DIY-ed if you're confident with wall fixings:
🔧 Tools you'll need
- Drill and masonry bits
- Wall plugs (proper ones, rated for weight)
- Spirit level
- Screwdriver
- Maybe a detector (to find solid wall)
🔨 The process
- Remove radiator from brackets (drain first if you want, but not essential)
- Unscrew old brackets from wall
- Find solid wall (brick/block, not just plaster)
- Mark new positions or clean out old holes
- Drill proper depth for new plugs
- Tap in new wall plugs
- Screw brackets back on firmly
- Rehang radiator, check it's level
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Drilling same holes (wall's already failed there)
- Not drilling deep enough
- Cheap wall plugs that aren't rated for weight
- Not finding solid wall behind plaster
- Overtightening and cracking more plaster
- Leaving radiator wonky
💡 Pro trick: If the wall's really crumbly and won't hold fixings, you can use frame fixings (long screws that go through plaster into the brick behind) or resin anchor bolts. Both give much better hold than standard plugs.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🎯 Multiple radiators loose? Common in older houses where plaster's generally failing. Worth doing them all at once - I'm already set up with the right fixings and know your wall type.
Plasterboard walls? These are trickier because radiators are heavy. Need to find studs for proper fixing or use special hollow wall anchors rated for the weight. Can't just plug into plasterboard.
Radiator moved significantly? If it's shifted enough that pipes are at an angle or tight, might need pipes adjusting as well as securing brackets. I'll advise if that's needed.
Older Exeter properties? Victorian lime plaster can be soft and crumbly, which is why radiators work loose. Sometimes the answer is longer fixings through the plaster into the brick, rather than trying to fix into the plaster itself.
Cast iron radiators? These are especially heavy and need really solid fixings. Modern plastic plugs often aren't enough - might need proper rawlbolts or resin fixings for that weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do radiators come loose from the wall?
Usually the wall plugs have failed in the plaster, or the brackets weren't mounted into solid wall in the first place. Heavy radiators put a lot of weight on those brackets - if they're not in properly, they gradually pull out. Older houses with crumbling plaster are especially prone to this.
Is a wobbly radiator dangerous?
Potentially, yeah. If it pulls off the wall completely, you've got a heavy radiator falling plus water everywhere from broken pipes. Better to secure it properly before that happens. And even wobbling is stressing the pipe joints which can cause leaks.
Can you fix it without draining the system?
Usually yes. I'm just securing the brackets better, not disconnecting pipes. Radiator stays full of water while I work on the wall fixings. Only needs draining if brackets are completely broken and need replacing.
Will it come loose again?
Not if I get proper fixings into solid wall. The trick is finding where the wall's solid (brick/block) rather than just plaster. Might need longer fixings or different positions to hit something structural.
My radiator's moved and now pipes are tight - is that a problem?
Yeah, that needs sorting. Tight pipes can crack at joints or pull fittings apart. I'll need to secure the radiator back in its proper position so pipes aren't under stress.
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