Assembling a Cast Iron Radiator
Our cast iron radiators can be assembled to any length your require, however, if you order a radiator over 1.2m you will either have to pay for an oversized pallet or we can ship your Cast Iron Radiators in multiple sections requiring some onsite assembly.
Detailed instructions for the assembly of your traditional radiators are below.
Your Cast Iron Radiators will be delivered in several sections these will be alphabetically labelled if you have multiple sections. You must assemble the cast iron radiators alphabetically - A, then B then C. You should also receive a radiator assembly tool, some joining threads and some joining gaskets.
STEP ONE
Firstly, find a level floor with easy access all around and put down a sheet or some other floor covering.Our cast iron radiators are cast using traditional techniques and pressure tested with air and water. There may be moisture within the radiator that could leak out whilst the radiator is being assembled.
You should also put down 2 lengths of wood to keep the radiator sections off of the floor and avoid them being scratched as they are moved around on the floor.
STEP TWO
Present the cast iron radiator elements next to each other and insert a joining thread in one side. Insert the joining thread as little as is possible to hold it in one side - this is normally about a quarter of a turn.
Note that there is a correct way and an incorrect way of putting the joining thread as the threads are left and right handed. Do not force the joining threads - the thread should bite easily.
If you have more than 2 pieces to your cast iron radiator, it is difficult to understand which way round your middle sections should be. There is only one correct way to assemble your cast iron radiators because of the thread - test the thread with a joining thread to confirm that you have your radiator blocks in the correct order and the correct way round.
For Example - if you have a cast iron radiator that has been split into 3 sections - A, B and C. It should be obvious which way round blocks A and B should go, but you will have to test block B using a joining thread as this may visually look as if it could go either way round.
STEP THREE
Add a gasket to the middle of the joining thread.
Gaskets should be dry and clean when they are added. You should not add any grease, oil or any plumbing compound to the radiator gasket. Our Gaskets have been designed according to British Standards, all of our gaskets are British designed and manufactured in Europe.
If your gaskets show any sign of damage, contact us immediately on 01723 321 000 and we will send you some more gaskets.
STEP FOUR
Repeat steps two and three for the lower joint.
Ensure that the joining thread is entered into the cast iron radiator section as little as possible to ensure that the thread is held in place but no further.
STEP FIVE
Push the radiators together as close as possible.
Ensure that the joining thread sits comfortably within the recess of the adjoining block of radiators.
At the same time check that the gaskets that you have added sit roughly in the middle of the joining thread.
STEP SIX
The assembly tool is carefully engineered to grip the joining thread and allow you to turn the joining thread from within the cast iron radiator.
Count how many sections the joining thread that you want to tighten is from the end of the radiator.
Insert the joining thread turning clockwise to feed through until you get to the joining thread you want to tighten.
In order to tighten the cast iron radiator fully - is it essential that you complete this as a gradual process, tightening either the top thread partially, withdrawing the tool - and partially tightening the bottom joining thread. Repeating this process until the radiator is hand tightened. This is because, tightening either one of the joining threads all at once, can cause the thread to cross thread, jar or snap.
STEP SEVEN
Once your cast iron radiator is hand tightened, add an adjustable spanner to the joining tool and turn about one quarter of an extra turn.
DO NOT over tighten your joints as this will shred the threads on the joining gasket or the casting.
If you have an EPDM gasket, you are looking to achieve a bulge in the gasket that fills the join as pictured below:
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call us on 01723 321 000 and we can talk you through this process.