Radiator Installation South London
Looking for a reliable radiator installation in South London? MAK Plumbing & Heating are Gas Safe registered engineers specialising in radiator supply, fitting and replacement across Streatham, Balham, Tooting, Clapham, Fulham, Brixton and all surrounding SW and SE postcodes. Whether you need a single old radiator swapped out or a full upgrade across your home, we size each radiator correctly for the room, fit it with care and balance the system before we leave. Call 07900 247 384 for a free, no-obligation quote.
Radiator Installation & Replacement
South London
Old radiators that never get properly hot. Cold spots. Inefficient heating that costs you more each year. We replace them with the right radiator, fitted properly — and your heating will feel the difference from day one.
New radiator installed in Balham — neat pipework, correctly sized for the room
heating radiator
heavily corroded radiator
valves on every radiator
Is Your Old Radiator Working Against You?
Most radiators in South London homes were installed 15–25 years ago. Over time they corrode from the inside, accumulate sludge and lose the ability to distribute heat evenly. If your radiator shows any of these signs, replacement is almost always more cost-effective than repeated repair.
Magnetite sludge settles at the base of the radiator and blocks heat transfer — a classic sign of internal corrosion you cannot fix by bleeding.
Surface rust on the front is a warning sign — but when the steel is corroding from the inside, pinhole leaks are not far away.
An old, sludge-filled radiator struggles to reach full temperature because the internal passages are partially blocked — wasting gas every single day.
A leaking radiator damages floors, skirting and ceilings below. A single weeping valve or pinhole seam is the first stage — and it only gets worse.
If your boiler is running fine but one room always lags behind, the radiator is often the problem — either the wrong size, heavily corroded, or poorly balanced.
Radiators without TRVs can’t regulate room temperature independently. Fitting TRVs alongside a new radiator is required under Building Regulations Part L and reduces your heating bills meaningfully.
Multiple radiators cold across the house? If several radiators are showing cold spots or heating unevenly, the problem is usually systemwide magnetite sludge rather than the radiators themselves. Replacing the radiators without clearing the sludge first means new radiators will be contaminated within months. In that case, a power flush should come first — then we replace any radiators that are beyond recovery.
Recognise any of these? Call us for a free, no-obligation assessment.
How We Fit a New Radiator — The Right Way
There is a significant difference between a radiator that has been installed and one that has been installed correctly. We see the results of rushed work regularly — radiators hung slightly off-level, valves overtightened and weeping within months, pipework routed in a way that makes future access impossible, and systems left unbalanced so one end of the house is stifling while the other stays cold.
Every radiator we install is sized for the room first. We calculate the BTU output needed based on room volume, window area and insulation, not just the dimensions of the old one. A bigger room or a room with a large external wall needs more heat — fitting the same small radiator the previous engineer left behind is not good enough.
Pipework is run neatly and supported properly. Valves — a thermostatic valve on the flow side and a lockshield on the return — are fitted correctly to give you full temperature control in every room. After installation, the radiator is bled, the system pressure is checked, and we balance the lockshield valves across the circuit so every radiator heats evenly.
We do not rush. We do not cut corners. And we do not leave until the heating is on and everything is working as it should.
Radiator installation in Fulham — neat pipework, quality valves, balanced system
What Happens on the Day
A clear, step-by-step account of how we carry out every radiator installation — no surprises, no mess left behind.
Room Assessment & Sizing
We assess the room dimensions, window count, insulation and the existing system pressure to calculate the correct heat output. We recommend the right radiator type and size before any work begins.
Dust Sheets & Isolation
Dust sheets are laid down to protect your floor. The existing radiator is isolated at its valves and drained locally — we do not drain the whole system unless the job specifically requires it, so your heating stays on in other rooms.
Old Radiator Removal
The old radiator is carefully removed and taken away. We check the pipework condition, clean the valve threads and assess whether the existing brackets can be reused or need replacing before the new radiator goes on.
Brackets, Pipework & Valves
New wall brackets are fixed level and at the correct height. A thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) goes on the flow pipe, a lockshield on the return. Pipework is adjusted if the new radiator dimensions differ from the old one, and all joints are made with high-quality fittings.
Radiator Hung & Connected
The new radiator is hung level on the brackets and connected to the valves. We check the alignment and wall fixings before opening the system back up, so nothing is under stress before the water goes in.
Fill, Inhibitor, Bleed & Balance
The system is refilled and a dose of corrosion inhibitor (Fernox F1 or Sentinel X100) is added to protect the new radiator and the rest of the circuit against future corrosion. The new radiator is bled fully to remove all air pockets, the system is represurised to the correct bar, and we set the lockshield valve to balance the circuit — ensuring every radiator heats proportionally and evenly.
Test & Sign Off
The boiler is fired up and we run the heating through a full cycle. We check the new radiator reaches temperature, verify no leaks at any joint or valve, and confirm system pressure is stable before we pack up and leave.
Radiator Types We Supply & Fit
We fit all standard radiator types to suit any home, budget and aesthetic — from straightforward panel replacements to decorative column radiators that become a feature of the room.
Single & Double Panel Radiators
The most common type in South London homes. Type 11 (single panel) for smaller rooms and hallways, Type 21 and Type 22 (double panel with fins) for living rooms and bedrooms requiring higher heat output. Efficient, reliable and cost-effective.
Column Radiators
Traditional cast iron-style column radiators — now manufactured in modern steel — are popular in period South London properties. They heat up more slowly than panel radiators but retain heat longer, and make a strong visual statement in hallways, living rooms and bathrooms.
Towel Rail Radiators
Heated towel rails connected to the central heating system provide warmth and a towel-drying function in bathrooms and en-suites without an electric element. We fit them as part of the central heating circuit with the correct valve type and position for efficient flow.
Low Surface Temperature Radiators
Required in properties with young children or vulnerable occupants, LST radiators have a casing that limits the surface temperature to a safe level regardless of flow temperature. We supply and fit these to comply with HTM 03-01 and similar standards where required.
Low-Flow & Heat Pump Compatible
If you are planning a heat pump installation now or in the future, we can spec and fit larger surface-area radiators designed to work efficiently at lower flow temperatures (40–55°C), future-proofing your heating system for the upgrade.
New Radiator Points
Adding a radiator to a room that has never had one — a new extension, a converted loft, a garage conversion. We run new pipework from the nearest convenient point on the circuit, fit the radiator and balance the whole system to maintain even heat throughout.
Radiator Installation Prices — South London
We publish our prices openly. All prices include isolation, fitting, TRV and lockshield valves, bleeding, system balance and pressure test. Parts are charged at cost with no hidden mark-up.
Column and designer radiators are priced on supply — labour rates below apply regardless of style.
| Service | Duration | Price (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like radiator swap — labour only You supply radiator | 1–2 hrs | From £120 |
| Supply & fit standard panel radiator (Type 11/21/22) Most popular | 1.5–2.5 hrs | From £195 |
| Supply & fit column radiator | 2–4 hrs | From £350 |
| Supply & fit heated towel rail | 2–3 hrs | From £250 |
| Radiator relocation (move to new position) | 3–5 hrs | From £280 |
| New radiator point — new pipework run | Half–full day | From £380 |
| Full house radiator replacement (5+ radiators) | 1–2 days | Call for quote |
All prices include: isolation, fitting, TRV & lockshield valves, corrosion inhibitor dose, bleed, lockshield balancing, system pressure test and a final heat run-through check. Radiator disposal from £15 if required.
Not sure which option applies to you? Send us a message or call and we’ll give you an accurate quote.
Radiator Installation FAQs
Common questions from South London homeowners.
How long does a radiator installation take?
A like-for-like swap is typically 1–2 hours. Supply and fit of a standard panel radiator takes 1.5–2.5 hours. A column radiator or one requiring pipework adjustment can take 3–4 hours. We give you an accurate time before starting.
Do you need to drain the whole system to replace a radiator?
Not for a standard swap. We isolate the individual radiator at its valves, drain just that one radiator and do the work — the rest of your heating system stays live and your other rooms stay warm throughout.
Can you move my radiator to a different wall?
Yes. We reroute the pipework to the new position, cap the old pipe run and make good any surface finishes affected. Moving a radiator typically takes an extra 1–2 hours. We advise on the best pipe route during the site visit before quoting.
What radiator size do I need for my room?
Sizing depends on the room volume, insulation, number of outside walls and windows. We calculate the required heat output in BTUs and recommend a radiator that meets that output. Fitting the same size as the old one without checking is one of the most common mistakes we see — and it results in rooms that never quite get warm enough.
Should I get thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) fitted?
Yes — and under Building Regulations Part L, TRVs are required on all new and replacement radiators except in rooms that already have a room thermostat. TRVs allow each room to regulate its own temperature and typically reduce heating bills by 10–15%. We fit them as standard on every installation.
Do you supply the radiator or should I buy one myself?
Either works for us. We supply quality radiators at competitive prices and will size them correctly. If you have already purchased one, we are happy to fit it — just check the BTU output is appropriate for the room size before buying, and we can advise you on this before you order.
Why is my old radiator not heating up properly?
The most common causes are magnetite sludge settled at the bottom, a stuck or faulty TRV head, an air lock, or internal corrosion that has reduced the radiator’s effective surface area. We diagnose the root cause first — in some cases a new valve or a bleed is sufficient, but a radiator that is more than 15 years old and showing cold spots is usually more economical to replace.
Radiator Installation Across South & South West London
Based in Streatham SW16, we cover South and South West London. Most jobs are booked within the same week of enquiry.
Not listed? We likely cover your area — call 07900 247 384 to check.
Book Your Radiator Installation in South London
Stop putting up with cold rooms, inefficient old radiators and heating bills that are higher than they should be. Call Michael for a free, no-obligation quote — available Monday to Saturday, most jobs booked within the same week.
Gas Safe registered · #939043 · Correctly sized every time · System balanced before we leave