No, you generally do not need to turn off the entire water supply to your house to remove a radiator. However, you must isolate the radiator by closing its valves.
Here's a breakdown:
-
Isolating the Radiator: The key is to close both the inlet and outlet valves on the radiator itself. These valves are designed to stop water flow to the radiator without affecting the rest of your heating system.
-
Turning off the Central Heating: Before you even think about touching the radiator, turn off your central heating system and allow the radiator to cool completely. Working on a hot radiator can be dangerous.
-
Why You Don't Need to Turn Off the Main Water Supply: The radiator valves act as localized shut-off points. Once they're closed, water is prevented from flowing to the radiator, regardless of whether the main water supply is on or off.
-
Potential Mess: Even with the valves closed, a small amount of water may still be present in the radiator. Be prepared with towels and a bucket to catch any spills when you disconnect the radiator.
-
Double Check: After re-installing or removing the radiator, and opening the valves, check for leaks around the valves and connections.
In summary, you can remove a radiator without turning off the entire house's water supply, provided you properly close the radiator valves and take necessary precautions to minimize spills.
