How to simply disassemble an old cast-iron battery

Although cast-iron radiators have been a mainstay of heating systems for many years, they may need to be removed when homes undergo upgrades or renovations. Although dismantling these large radiators may seem difficult, it is actually quite easy and safe to do with the correct method. When it comes to replacing outdated cast-iron radiators with more contemporary models or just having to take them apart for maintenance, being able to disassemble an old radiator can help you save time and effort.

The fundamental parts of a cast-iron radiator must be understood before beginning the disassembly procedure. Usually, these radiators are made up of connected sections that hold steam or hot water. Bolts or nuts hold each section together, and they are typically attached to pipes that supply the heating source. When it comes time to disassemble the radiator, it will be important to note how these sections are connected.

Putting safety precautions in place is one of the first steps in disassembling an old cast-iron radiator. It is crucial to wear safety equipment like gloves and goggles when working with these radiators because they can be heavy and may contain hot water or steam residue. To prevent any mishaps or injuries, it’s also a good idea to turn off the heating system and let the radiator cool completely before starting the disassembly process.

Setting up the workspace is the next step after taking safety precautions. You will have plenty of room to work and move around if you clear the area around the radiator. Place a protective covering on the floor to collect any water or debris that may leak while the parts are being disassembled. Additionally, having the appropriate tools on hand—such as pliers, a screwdriver, and a wrench—will make the task easier.

What advantages cast iron radiators have

Cast iron is brittle despite all of its benefits; keep this in mind when disassembling it. Batteries should be handled with care; avoid throwing them away.

In our guide on heating and insulating your house, we aim to make the process of disassembling an old cast-iron radiator simple and straightforward. These old radiators can be cumbersome, but with the right approach, you can manage it easily. First, make sure the heating system is turned off and cool. Next, gather your tools: a wrench, pipe cutter, and a bucket. Start by draining the water from the radiator by opening the valve at the bottom. Once it"s drained, use the wrench to disconnect the radiator from the pipes. Be careful, as there might still be some water left in the pipes. With the pipes disconnected, carefully lift the radiator away from the wall and set it aside. If you"re replacing the radiator, take this opportunity to inspect the pipes and valves for any signs of damage or wear. Disassembling an old cast-iron radiator doesn"t have to be daunting; with a bit of patience and know-how, you can handle it like a pro.

For what it may be necessary to disassemble the radiator

1. To reduce the number of sections when the room is too hot.
2. To add additional sections if the installed sections are not sufficient for normal heat supply to the room.
3. To join two finished radiators together to form one large one. To avoid adding each section piece by piece, you can connect several ready-made radiators together.

GOST 8690 is followed in the manufacture of cast iron radiators. Based on the separation between the nipple holes, they are classified into three types:

1. Low. 30 cm. Full height 40 cm.
2. Medium. 50 cm. Full height 60 cm.
3. Tall. 100 cm. Full height 110 cm.

If you order individual radiator sections remotely, keep this in mind.

Battery arrangement

Two nipples with a 5/4-inch external thread are used to join each section to the next. There is a left-hand thread in the nipple beyond the middle, and a right-hand thread up to that point. On each nipple, a rubber or vapor gasket is placed between two sections. Please be aware that once it is disassembled, it cannot be used again; replacement parts must be purchased before assembly. Some claim you can cut them yourself from a piece of rubber, but it’s better to use factory-made ones that are already ready to use given their price.

The nipple’s interior composition is as follows:

• diameter 32 mm;
• two additional notches (tendrils) reducing the diameter to 26 mm.

The nipple can be screwed in or out with a special key thanks to the notches in the design.

Diagram showing the radiator’s unscrewing components: a) A 36 mm through plug placed under the key; b) A 55 mm blind plug placed under the key; c) A nipple

The assembled radiator features four plugs. Two of them have left-hand threads and are blind. It is crucial to understand that these plugs must be unscrewed in the right direction—clockwise—and screwed in the left direction—counterclockwise—during disassembly. The blind plug’s exterior is 55 mm in size and shaped like a hexagon.

Through-hole plugs make up the other two plugs. Through them, water is delivered to the radiator. There may be variations in the inlet holes’ diameters. Depending on the size of pipe that is appropriate for the radiator, cut the thread to 3/4 or 1/2 inch, respectively.

Thru plugs are threaded in the right direction. In other words, they are tightened in a clockwise direction. and unscrewed, turning counterclockwise or to the left. The through plug’s exterior is shaped like a hexagon for a 36 mm wrench.

The following instruments are required to disassemble a cast-iron battery:

• Horn wrench 36 mm. The wrench is quite common and should not cause any problems with it.
• Horn wrench 55 mm, or a 55 mm hexagonal or twelve-sided head with a collar for it. It is better to use a 55 mm pipe-type head or wrench. This reduces the likelihood that you will damage the edges of the plug.
• Wrench for disassembling radiators. It is advisable to order it in advance. Preferably, it should have a length of at least 50 centimeters. You can try to make a key yourself.
• Metal hacksaw.
• Pipe wrench 1.5 or 2 inches.
• Gas burner. Any gas burner with a replaceable cylinder is suitable for this purpose.

Proceed to disassembly

It is preferable to select a time when the heating is off for this reason. We advise taking the radiator out of the wall before disassembling it. Working with it will be much simpler and more convenient in this way. Additionally, if this is your first time removing a radiator, there probably aren’t any taps at the inlet. When the house was built, the radiators were installed in this manner.

Installing shut-off valves at the pipes’ points of connection with the radiator is advised in case you make a mistake during the radiator’s subsequent assembly and a leak manifests itself. You will need to wait until the heating season is over or cut off the radiator’s water supply before proceeding with the disassembly.

Disassembling the battery

It is not advised to use excessive force on the plugs when disassembling the radiator. Take a gas burner and begin heating one of the plugs evenly on all sides so that you can unscrew them. It should take five minutes or so. In this time, you will remove the old paint from the plug’s edges and expand the plug where it joins the radiator section.

Using a 55 mm wrench, attempt to rotate the plug counterclockwise. You don’t need to try too hard to turn the plug; just turn on the burner and begin heating the plug again. The use of a pipe wrench is not recommended. It comes in a variety of sizes, but it can damage the plugs’ edges.

Keep in mind that the blind plug has threads on the left side. It has to be turned counterclockwise.

The longer the plug needs to be heated, the older your radiator is. Many dirt particles, debris, and rust can build up in the joints over time. Frequently, the battery’s lower section becomes totally clogged and does not produce any heat at all. Recognize that you will need to heat the plug until it is extremely hot. However, it is then easily unscrewed. Use the second blind plug in the same manner.

The bushing plugs can be removed with a 36 mm wrench. Similarly, heat the point where the plug and radiator section connect for five minutes using a torch. Unscrew the plugs counterclockwise this time; their threads are correct.

Warming up the battery connector

Disconnecting the first battery section

Take a radiator disassembly wrench. If you have not found such a key on sale, you can try to make one yourself. You will need a piece of rebar with a diameter of 20 mm and a length of at least 60 cm. In order to unscrew the nipple, we need to flatten one of the ends of the fitting to such a state that it is wider than 26 mm, but narrower than 32 mm. To do this, use the torch you have with which you used to heat the plugs. Heat a section of rebar about 4 cm long at either end. Once heated, use a hammer to flatten the tip into a flat shape. If necessary, repeat the heating procedure and hammer the rebar section again.

Another option for creating the wrench is to use a 20 mm diameter piece of pipe. To accomplish this, flatten one pipe end in accordance with the specified measurements. There’s no need for any other tools when disassembling radiators with the factory wrench. The easiest way to twist a homemade wrench made of pipe or rebar is to use a pipe wrench. Its force is sufficient to dislodge the nipple. To engage the wrench and the nipple tabs, insert the wrench deeply enough into the radiator.

Proceed to unscrew the nipple in the same direction that you removed the plug.

Starting with the blind plug side and working your way down to the through plug side, you can disassemble the radiator. Keep in mind that they each have a left and a right thread. Like the plug, the nipple twists clockwise when you unscrew it from the blind plug side. If not, you risk breaking the nipple’s tendrils, which will make it impossible to remove the battery without a metal hacksaw.

Turn once or once and a half. Next, turn the battery’s bottom one or one and a half times in the same manner. One by one, unscrew each nipple until the section is fully removed.

Avoid attempting to unscrew the nipple all at once. Both the section and the nipple are extremely delicate cast iron pieces. In order to prevent them from popping, you must unscrew them slowly. Use a torch to heat the joint if the fastener will not budge. Similar to the plug, this will be helpful.

In order to disconnect more than one section, it is not necessary to unscrew each section in turn. You can go straight to the section you need. To do this, use a radiator disassembly wrench to measure the distance to the required nipple. Make a mark on the key with chalk or a marker. This will allow you not to miss the right depth at which you need to insert the key. Next, start unscrewing the nipple in the same way as if you were unscrewing a single section. It is important to have a wrench length of at least 50-60 cm to get to the desired section of the radiator and remove it without problems.

It may seem like a difficult undertaking to replace outdated cast-iron radiators if you’re trying to improve your heating system. But it can be an easy process if you take the proper approach. You can safely and effectively disassemble your old cast-iron radiator by following a few easy steps.

First and foremost, it’s imperative to guarantee your safety at all times. Wear safety equipment at all times, such as goggles and gloves, to shield yourself from any jagged objects or debris. Furthermore, before beginning, make sure the radiator cools down completely and that the heating system is off.

When you’re ready to get started, turn off the radiator’s water supply and empty the system of any leftover water. By doing this, any spills or leaks during the disassembly procedure will be avoided. Next, undo the nuts and bolts holding the radiator and pipes together with a wrench. Be cautious not to harm the nearby fixtures or pipes.

Now that the radiator’s pipes are disconnected, you can carefully remove it from the wall. This step requires assistance because cast-iron radiators can be heavy and difficult to handle on your own. After removal, store the radiator in a secure spot far from pedestrian traffic.

You can now safely remove the radiator and carry out any additional tasks, like cleaning, fixing, or replacing parts. Before reinstalling or discarding the radiator, take your time to check it for corrosion or damage and take care of any problems.

In conclusion, although taking the proper precautions and approach can make disassembling an old cast-iron radiator seem like a daunting task, it is possible to accomplish. You can safely remove your old radiator and get ready for any necessary heating system maintenance or upgrades by following these easy steps.

Video on the topic

How to disassemble an old cast iron radiator

How to disassemble a cast iron radiator if it does not yield to the key

How to break cast iron radiator neatly and quickly. How to disassemble a radiator.

How to disassemble cast iron old radiators – repair and assembly

Removing extra sections of a cast iron radiator. 2 applications.

How to disconnect old cast iron heating radiators without a key. I didn"t expect how fast and easy it was!