Placement of radiators in your rooms is crucial to minimize the available space, create an appealing look, and enhance effectiveness.
In some cases, especially in small rooms like the bathrooms, and kitchens, radiator pipes are installed in the walls.
That is just fine though it will demand extra attention and more work.
If you are considering having a placement of radiator pipes in the wall, this article is tailored for you.
So, Can You Put Radiator Pipes In The Wall?
It is fine to install radiators on the walls. There are many reasons for this. First, it helps to conceal the pipes, save you space and reduce clunky work. Even though this procedure may prove a little tedious, once executed smartly, you can always be assured of a proper radiator system in your rooms.
See Also: Can You Electrocute Yourself Drilling Into A Wall?
In this article, we look at how best you can place your radiators in the walls and other ideas on how you can conceal radiators in the rooms. Read on.
Can You Put Radiator Pipes In The Walls?
The idea of putting radiator pipes in the walls comes with the quest for perfection.
This is especially true for small rooms like bathrooms.
Keep in mind that there are no specific regulations on whether it is a good idea to put radiator pipes in the walls. The only pipes not allowed in the wall are gas pipes.
Others like radiator pipes can perfectly be installed in the walls.
One problem with these fixtures is that it is highly procedural, laborious, expensive, and time-consuming. Otherwise, if performed well, it brings in a lot of efficiencies.
You must, therefore, brace for some work. There will be a lot of moving of things around in the rooms.
Plumping will also be executed with a lot of drilling on the walls.
Bathrooms are extended parts of the rooms.
As a result, they might be having outside walls which call for better attention while fitting in radiator pipes in them.
Seven Tips for Fitting Radiator Pipes in the Walls
1. Keep Your Runs Vertical
Do not attempt to break through your walls into the cavity.
You want to execute this crucial task with a lot of care and minimum damage.
Also, do not create too many joints of the pipes in the wall.
This will help you avoid future leaks. Leaks can be a great problem to repair.
From experiences, it is the fittings of the pipes that often leak, not the pipes themselves.
Ideally, invest in a 25m roll instead of acquiring lengths.
This will help you cut the size and not the joints of the pipes. This is the best way to keep leaks in control.
2. Figure Out Where You Will Install Other Things On The Walls
In the bathroom, for instance, it is important to plan where you will later fix other things on the walls.
You don’t want to hit a radiator pipe the next time you are doing an installation in the bathroom. This requires vision and common sense.
3. Use Compression Fittings
In a case where you have used chrome plates, it is prudent to use compression fittings.
This is because chrome plates are hard and do not allow push-fit styles. Also, it will not compromise with the working of other pipes parts like copper and plastic.
4. Use Sleeves/Covers On All Plastic Pipe Ends
Alternatively, you can use clips to nail the pipes onto the walls.
This will make it easier for you when carrying out other furnishings and finishing’s in the walls such as the placement of tiles.
5. Remember Isolating Valves
Isolating the valve is a requirement. You should be able to access them with ease just in case you bump into an unprecedented scenario with your radiator pipes.
Usually, these are the last fittings done on the pipework before the appliance is put in place.
For the bathroom, if you have a shower, you will require a full-turn lever valve for optimum efficiency. You can also install gate valves. It helps to maintain a good flow of water in the pipes.
6. Chose Lever Over Brass For Your Gate Valves
The reason behind this is that brass perishes over time. Alternatively, you can opt to isolate valves.
But you should be patient enough to test everything before the final burying of the pipes in the walls.
7. Apply Jet Blue For Sealing
This is a very crucial step in fitting radiator pipes in the walls.
It applies to all mechanical fittings in your pipework. If you do not have jet blue, you can use any other portable water jointing paste on all areas that will serve as seals for your pipework.
It will save you from those boring drips that can potentially damage your room.
How Can You Hide Radiator Pipes?
Copper radiators are invaluable components of central heating systems at home.
They carry water around rooms at home and help to keep them warm and comfortable especially during the coldest months of the year.
Copper radiator pipes, however, are often unsightly.
As a result, concealing them in the walls is sometimes the best choice.
You might want to paint the pipes the same color as the walls but that may seem unsatisfactory.
It is still okay to drill channels in the walls.
This procedure, however, proves to be expensive, time-consuming, and disruptive.
In this article, we add three of the best ways you can opt to conceal radiator pipes in your room. Let’s do this!
1. Boxing Radiators On The Walls
One of the most common ways of hiding radiators on the walls is involved boxing them o the walls.
You must have already seen something like thee in modern kitchens and bathrooms.
It is a simple procedure involving the installation of pieces of wood to effectively create a box around the radiator pipes.
To blend in with the walls and bring an appealing outlook, it is a nice idea to paint these boxes with the same paint as the wall.
It makes your room look more minimalistic. It also makes it look uncluttered which would be the case in open pipework.
One setback of this method is that it may occupy more space making your room look and feel smaller.
Besides, plenty of people dislike the clunky appearance of the rooms with boxed pipes. Others feel completely fine with it.
2. Skirting Boards
Skirting boards offer an alternative way of concealing radiator pipes on the walls. Specially-adapted boards are ideal as they can fully accommodate radiator pipes.
These boards are unique as they have a recessed section on their backs to allow placement on the walls.
So, if you have finally resorted to installing skirting boards to conceal your radiator pipes, it would be prudent to get pipe-friendly ones.
They are cheap and easy to install.
If you have installed them in one room, you will be convinced to install them in the other rooms even where visibility of the pipes is not a problem.
This helps you to keep up with consistency in room rooms.
3. Pipe Sleeves
The use of pipe sleeves is one of the most effective ways of concealing radiator pipes on the walls. It is also one of the cheapest and simplest methods.
They are simply laid over your copper pipework bringing in a beautiful overall outlook and completeness of your installation.
For optimum feel and look, it is best to invest in pipe sleeves (covers) that match in color with the radiators or valves.
Final Words
One of the most important things when it comes to the installation of radiators pipes in your rooms is assembling all the necessary materials.
This guide will be a timely tutorial for all your radiator fixtures in the walls.
You are always at liberty to get an expert in the field just in case you come across an uncontrollable situation.
Get to it with a lot of commitment and stick to these procedures.
You can always add more especially if you have an expert with you.
Related
References
https://www.traderadiators.com/blog/how-to-hide-your-radiator-pipes
https://www.mybuilder.com/questions/v/345/can-i-hide-pipes-in-the-wall