- Am I allowed to use reclaimed cast iron radiators for my project?
- There are very few limitations to using cast iron radiators in your building. No legal restrictions are in place for their use but as with all new builds, thermostatic valves would be required by law for energy saving reasons. This is actually required for radiators old and new however. Thermostatic valves will fit in the same way as conventional valves so no extra considerations are needed.
- How do I know what size the radiator should be?
- There are many helpful websites online, and DIY stores that give you a simple calculation to make based on the size of you room. These are very useful to make a preliminary estimate. They do generally over estimate your requirements a little to allow for a multitude of sins and so are perfectly acceptable, but to be sure it is as well to have an heating engineer do this for you. Alternatively, feel free to call us with the dimensions of your room and we shall do this for you. We will ask you a series of questions which you should be able to answer off the top of your head. These will include the type of external wall you have e.g. solid, cavity or cavity filled, the number of external walls in that room, room description e.g. bedroom or kitchen etc, and the type of floor. From this we can establish an accurate BTU or kilowatt requirement for you free of charge.
- How long will my restored cast iron radiator last?
- As with all the components of a water central heating system, the key is to add conditioner to the water and minimize air locks which will be done as a matter of routine by any good plumber or heating engineer when installing your radiators. This will ensure minimum corrosion and sludge build up inside. We regularly restore radiators originating from the nineteenth century with no problem. In my opinion, the more recent, steel type radiators are less tolerant to poor maintenance due to their thin structure. In layman's terms, the fossil fuel required to heat your cast iron radiator will more than likely run out long before the radiator fails!
- Will a restored cast iron radiator leak?
- All of our restored radiators are hydraulically pressure tested to well beyond their operating pressure after cleaning and prior to painting. Occasionally, we do find a problem with a section or joint .This is easily rectified by fitting a replacement section or joining gasket. We replace the problem rather than ‘fix’ it. This ensures a sound radiator throughout. Certain considerations need to be made when replacing sections to ensure troublefree operation over longer periods of time. Good engineering practices overcome any issues that may arise and remain our secret!
- Will the old style radiator heat my room without looking too big?
- The chances are, that you will be able to accommodate a cast iron radiator that has the right aesthetics. Rarely do you need one too big and of course you can have one larger than required if it is to be a feature.
Please contact us if your question is not answered here.
