Replacing a towel rail in an apartment usually means work on the hot water riser, so the riser has to be shut off and drained first, and the house manager arranges that. If the new towel rail goes in the same spot with the same connection, an application to the house manager is enough. If it is moved or removed, design documents are needed. Replacing a hot water towel rail costs from €80.
The Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks procedure has two routes. If the towel rail is replaced with a similar one in an identical position, an application from the apartment owner is enough. In it the owner confirms that the rail's diameter will not be reduced and its position will not change, and that any leak or fault will be fixed within three days.
If the rail is moved, for example to the opposite wall, its connection is changed or it is removed altogether, design documents have to be drawn up and approved by the house manager, just as with radiator replacement. The house manager also points out that an apartment without a towel rail is not exempted from the charge for hot water circulation.
Other house managers may have a different procedure, so ask yours in writing before you buy. More on approval: radiator replacement approval in an apartment.
Approval
An application to the house manager for replacement in the same spot, or approved design documents if the rail is relocated.
Shutting off the riser
On the agreed day the house manager or their service company shuts off and drains the hot water riser.
Removing the old rail
The old rail is unscrewed or cut out and the connection ends are prepared. Rusted threads often have to be recut.
Installation
The wall brackets and the new rail are fitted. If the house manager allows it, a bypass with shut-off valves is built so the rail can be removed next time without shutting off the riser.
Filling and testing
The riser is reopened, the joints are checked under pressure and we make sure the rail heats up.
If a joint is leaking, replacing the seal or redoing the thread is often enough, but this also needs the riser shut off. If the rail itself is leaking or its pipe has rusted through, a repair is only temporary, and it is better to replace the rail.
While it leaks, put a container under it and tell the house manager. If water is already on the floor, see water leak repair.
Replacing a hot water towel rail costs from €80 per rail. The simplest job is a replacement in the same spot with the same centre distance. The price goes up with relocation to another spot, building a bypass and shut-off valves, rusted threads or welded joints, and a different connection diameter or centre distance.
The price does not include the towel rail, valves and bypass parts, or shutting off and draining the hot water riser, which the house manager does as a paid service. It also excludes design documents in case of relocation, and tile repair.
Heating radiators follow a similar procedure, see radiator replacement. If you are also replacing the hot water riser, the two jobs can be combined: riser replacement in an apartment. All jobs are on the plumbing services page.
| Service | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hot water towel rail replacement | from €80 | for 1 rail; rail, valves and bypass extra |
Sources
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