Hello, I have an old water radiator system in my place, which hasn't been used in about 20 years. The former tenant put in a central gas heater system about 20 years ago. I want to remove the radiators (there are 3, 2 are about 2' tall by 2 ' wide, the single is 2' tall by about 1' wide). There is also a gas boiler unit in my kitchen I'd also like to remove. First off, how do I drain the water out of the system? There is a water valve right behind the boiler and it appears to be turned all the way clockwise. I tried to remove one of the unions on one of the radiators with a drip pan and a 16 gallon shop vac. The water doesn't appear to be stopping, since I've already emptied the shop vac twice. Is there some other way to purge the water? Is there some valve in the basement I'm missing?

#1 Is this a property you own, or are you renting?

if the property is yours.
1st...TURN OFF GAS
2nd....DISCONECT ELECTRICITY
do not go another step forward till those 2 things are done...
you need to find the "make up water"
valve. find your main water line.
trace it with your eyes, find the tee
that branch's off and ties into your heating system
there is a valve at that junction
turn valve to the left. depending on how old the valve is, the gate on the inside may or may not stick and break off
at the lowest point in the system, crack open a union or open a valve and drain system into a floor drain..
even thou you have drained it, it will still have water traped in pipes, demo what you want to demo
then. if you plan on bringing system back on line
call a plumber to ck out the old/new system
for water/gas leaks and public safety concerns
it will take a license to turn it back on
once a old system has been remodeled, it has to be brought up to code. there are new safety controls
that will have to be added./ or the gas co. will shut you down

I will disagree a little with Frodo... once you start taking out significant portions of a gas or oil boiler heating system, it's time to take the whole thing out.

as he pointed out, you may be compromising an old make-up valve by actuating it. you will also compromise the load the boiler is designed to feed by removing a significant part of the plumbing and radiators.

I'm no expert in this multi-level licensed field, but I'm going to throw out the figure "10 percent" and stand my ground on it. the entire system needs to be re-evaluated by a competent, licensed, bonded contractor beyond that point. it may need adjustments to any pressure-balance or statis tanks, temperature adjustment on the boiler... or it may become too overpowered for the load and risk failure.

quote:

Originally posted by Frodo:
if you plan on bringing system back on line
call a plumber to ck out the old/new system
for water/gas leaks and public safety concerns
it will take a license to turn it back on
once a old system has been remodeled, it has to be brought up to code. there are new safety controls
that will have to be added./ or the gas co. will shut you down

swschrad. i agree with you 125%, i guess i didnt make my point clear, when i said it will take a licence and new safety controls added and that it SHALL be brought up to code. [shall means it will or it will not pass inspection]
i sometimes dont realise that by saying a license will be needed the average op dosent understand plumber speak for..pull a permit, hire a plumber, have it inspected. pay $
my bad.. thanks