installing new hardwood over existing pine subfloor. the radiators are heavy and cannot accept the change in height for the new floor. what are my options around the rads. do i cut around the rads or try to lift them? thanks for any info,.

If they are truely too heavy to lift, then you answered your second question first. More problematic, are radiators that are installed without unions. Radiators with unions can at least be detached and moved out of the room, and then later re-installed with adjustments made to the piping to correct for height issues.

If you can get at the basement under the rads, you may be able to free up the pipes to get some play as well. Be careful changing pipe drop if you are using steam heat though.

If the rads are pipes without unions, then its real problematic to detach them. You neet to cut off the pipe. Suffice to say, it a job for a professional plumber or at least a very very knowlegeable DIY person with nerves.

If you decide to work around them, I would defintely NOT try to run the floor all the way up to the feet. Instead, trim out a rectangle around the feet, and leave the old floor under the radiator. Radiators look weird if you run the flooring up to the feet and try to carefully cope the feet in. They look like someone standing in ankle deep mud. This is particularly true with some of the older, ornate ones.

I spent a number of years in Boston where FHW heat is the norm, and I have seen every approach used to avoid moving the radiators. In the end, the very best is to remove the radiator, put down the floor, replace the radiator after having a plumber adjust the pipes, then REMOVE the radiator again and finish to floor. Finally, put the radiator back.

As you can see, the best approach is also really labor intensive, and must be done in the warmer months. While you are at it, take the radiators and have them sandblasted and repainted. Don't forget to paint the wall and trim behind the radiator as well, while they are out.

Tricks observed restoring old houses.......

cdherman,
That was an excellent answer!

thanks for the tips. the rads are union type. this job may be a few weeks away as i live near pittsburgh. the job is on the second floor with not much room for play with the piping. looks like the best choice is to just remove the rads when the weather breaks. thanks again, hrdrsrman