Changing radiator sizes

[AcceptingTherapy]

Decorating the lounge at the moment and got the plumber to remove the old radiators. I’d like to get nicer ones but the sizes aren’t an exact match so would need to be slightly smaller. The floor is concrete and pipes come up out of the floor, so the plumber said new pipes would need to be above ground along the skirting. Is this right or is there a way to dig into the concrete and move the pipes? Seems risky to dig into concrete to me but another builder friend said that’s what he’d do…we are changing the flooring so that wouldn’t be a problem.

Dig it out a bit. It’s most likely screed (sharpsand and cement) rather than concrete. You need to dig out the new channels and make enough space in the hole for the plumber to be able to join to the old pipes.

How much smaller?

You can get extenders, whichbdont look quitebas good as the pipes meeting exactly, but better than pipes along the skirting.

Other option is custom radiators if you're getting columns... I knkw this is a column, but off the shelf was £1300, custom for an extra 2 columns was £3200..... So this is definitely a cost saving compromise and is covered by the curtains.

OneForTheToad, so the normal thing would be to dog out? I won’t be doing it myself but was the plumber just being lazy when he said it would have to be along the skirtings?

I’ve not seen those extenders FixTheBone thank you, the difference is only 20cm so that might work.

FixTheBone I did look up custom but they were more than 3 times the price!

Yes, if you are reflooring anyway. Hire a hammer chisel and do a test to see how hard it is. Surface mounted pipes and not pleasant on the aesthetics, though sometimes necessary.

He probably doesn't want to dig into the floor.

He's not "lazy". They usually charge by the hour. So if you want extra stuff done you will have to pay more, either to him or to the person doing the digging and all the risks associated with that process and what might go wrong if it doesn't work. Having joins fixed in is never a great idea IMO because if the join leaks it could be a long time before it is discovered.

If they are only "slightly" smaller is it really that much of an asthetic issue to extend the existing pipes ?

It may be very expensive to dig up and replace whole pipe runs, and there's a reasonable chance that in replacing rads and disturbing existing runs, a leak will be caused in old pipework. I'd not describe this as lazy but as an experienced trade telling you the likely least worst option.

Digging up the concrete will take an hour tops with a sds chisel, its a very simple job to solder a joint on under the level of the floor. Its only 8 inches long and only needs to be 50 mm deep. Shouldnt take a good plumber more than half a day. Find another plumber, preferably one that will do the job you want .

Diyextension yes* I think we will get another plumbers opinion. First plumber obv just didn’t fancy doing it, which is fine, but don’t tell me it has* to be along skirtings, just be honest. Say -this is how I will do it, or you have the option of digging in to the floor but you’ll have to get someone else. At no point did I say we couldn’t afford to do this properly, we are redoing everything in the lounge and would rather it was done properly/ with the best looking solution. But not being experts ourselves we can only go by what we are told is possible.

Anything is possible if you have enough money and have the right person ( people ) with the correct mindset to achieve it.

My DH did ours as we were getting new carpets so was the opportunity to replace the old ones. He dug down and yes was just sand and screed. He replumbed the pipping and pretty easy. Looks great.
Don't screed back over though until the radiator has run for a few days to check for leaks.