Is this going to bug the hell out of me?

11 years ago

So our bathroom is nearly done. The plumber came today to fit the radiator. For some reason best known to himself he decided not to centralise the radiator under the window.

It was a faff to fit the radiator since the system had to be drained down and it is rather temperamental. Do I get him back though to redo it?

I think it will bug me but is it worth another days labour?

Featured Answer

Patricia Pelgrims

11 years ago

ASVInteriors, You threw out cast iron radiators ??? If I weren't moving in a weeks time I'd be changing all the radiators here for cast iron ones. In our new place I have UFH so not applicable there. ;)

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Comments (37)

PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
11 years ago
i say yes its worth another days labor you have to live there for a long time and you already said that its going to bug you .
PRO
ASVInteriors
11 years ago
The problem with moving this radiator is that the piping below will have to be moved (or you will end up with an ugly return pipe that you will notice)); also he has drilled the hanging mechanism in the wall, leaving you with ugly holes.
Option a) call him back, tell him you are not happy and ask what he proposes. He might offer a different type of radiator that is longer and lower and might work.
Option b) failing that, look at a radiator cover that hides it but spreads further left to even out the bug
Bummed for you
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carole
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
think that by the time you have placed other items in the room it might be ok,but if this is not how you wanted this done and there is a drawing to proof,then he should come back to re-do without charge
AVSinterior option B could work,but would be akward to fit because the bath takes some of the wall under the window..
PRO
Rockin' Fine Finish
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
I didnt see where the lines came from if the holes are in the tiles its harder to move now unless they can run flex lines to the radiator
Patricia Pelgrims
11 years ago
I have a similar problem with my washtable. It is also off center and it did bug me too. After 3 years I sometimes look at it and think "WHY ?" But then the next time I go in I don't even notice it. So maybe, once the room is dressed it might be ok, but if in doubt let the plumber come back and fix it.
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
To be fair to him there are no drawings and the main contractor wasn't here today. I had told the main contractor I wanted the radiator centralised to the window but the pipe work is off centre since we previously had a lovely 80s corner bath in the space and so I can see why the plumber just thought he was fitting it to the pipe work.

Will it look really ugly if the pipes go sideways? Didn't really want to cover the radiator since I like the style.

Aargh, thought we were practically done!
Dirt Digger
11 years ago
Is there a possibility that it has to be a certain distance away from the tub because of code requirements?
PRO
ASVInteriors
11 years ago
Shelley, do call the plumber back and ask him. Plumbers I work with are very pragmatic, they see two holes, they stick the radiator on with their pipes and off they go. Rarely do they worry about what it looks like (or sometimes even their pipework). They just install the radiator. For aesthetics, you need to explain what the problem is and what the solution is. Is this an existing radiator? You can get them in low long style (I threw out about 20 when we did a house renovation 7 years ago!)
PRO
ASVInteriors
11 years ago
@Dirt Digger - with this type of hot water radiator in the UK, it seems pretty unlikely - if it were much closer there might be. But I think it could be moved closer still.
schurer
11 years ago
it would not bother me but as an easy fix, you can have a pretty radiator cover made ( I would want one anyway) or buy one ready -made and center that under the window around the radiator. Make sense?
PRO
Vivid Interior Design - Danielle Loven
11 years ago
the radiator does not bug me. Think of it as utilitarian, and ignore it. Decorate the rest of the bathroom and you never know.
ipana
11 years ago
I like the radiator off center. Also then it is not too close to the bathtub.
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
ASV I will ring him and see what he says. I think it will annoy me because it faces the door and so I will see it every time I go in there (although this isn't the bathroom I use).

I'm not sure the bathroom being dressed will really help much since its a small room. Might do though. We are intending to paint the window frame and ceiling etc tonight and so then I can dress it and see what it looks like. This is the room so far, you can see it isn't big at all.
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
11 years ago
I don't mind it so much with a plant stand there, although you've just posted another angle, hmm, well, here's what I was thinking from the 1st photo anyway. Love the rug btw ;)
PRO
Barnhart Gallery
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
That might also be a good spot, looking at the other angle, for something to put your towel on...and the rad would be warming it for you...
Patricia Pelgrims
11 years ago
Well shelleyuk, it's a beauty of a bathroom either way. It would be a shame if you had to look at the position of the rad every day and feel unhappy about it.
creeser
11 years ago
I'd make a cover and paint it and center the cover under the window.[houzz=
Radiator cabinet · More Info
][houzz=
Bedroom · More Info
]
kimdee24
11 years ago
Oddly, it doesn't bother me that much. I agree with Barnhardt Gallery. Or you could get nice towel rack in that corner with some lovely towels hanging on it. Once the room is dressed, you probably won't even notice it.
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
Right, plumber is happy to come back next week so I am going to live with it for the week and see how much it annoys me.

I was about to return the patterned rug since I was worried it was too much in a small space (was planning on a patterned roman blind in this fabric). Any views on whether it should stay and I should go for a white blind or whether I stick with the patterned blind and have a white fluffy bath rug.
carole
11 years ago
keep the rug,it really looks great in the room,it is a beautifull (guest) bathroom...and i like the plant,that might just be the way to go if all else fails..
Lyndon Holder
11 years ago
Simple to solve. You should have bought extras tiles when tiling (they will replace the ones with holes) Move it and build a false plinth around the piping and cover the "plinth" with tiles. All should be at the contractors expense with the exception of materials
User
11 years ago
Good grief!

Is that the same wool patterned rug?
User
11 years ago
I see no problem with the radiator as it is.
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
Yep, same wool rug!!
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
I had decided to ignore the wool issue on the basis that I would replace it if it went manky.
User
11 years ago
shelleyuk,

Perhaps you mean stinky.

Damp/wet wool has a a strong stench that can seldom be removed.
Damp/wet wool also promotes the growth of mold and harbours bacteria.

Wool simply does not belong in the bathroom.

I value hygiene and practicality.

I suggest you go with fluffy, white terry clothbath mats that can be laundered daily or at least once a week.
kimdee24
11 years ago
Manky = stinky. British term. But yeah, wool probably not the best choice for a bath.
Aja Mazin
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
The radiator would not bother me, but I would never tolerate a damp, moldy, wool rug.

As I recall, this bathroom will be used by your two sons, yes?
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi Aja

No it's what I would call the family bathroom (in that its not attached to a bedroom) but we have an ensuite bathroom as do each of the boys so it will very rarely be used.

I know I know it may well be stinky/manky before long, and I had removed it to be taken back to the shop (if you see the first picture it now has a white cotton mat), but then when I put up the pictures of the bath and saw the patterned mat again it started me questioning whether I should keep it.

I'm way too indecisive at the moment!
Aja Mazin
11 years ago
It's your money and your home.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/wool-rug-in-bathroom-stupid-idea-dsvw-vd~405194
shelleyuk
Original Author
11 years ago
I know, I was just seeking final views on the look.

Anyway, back to the radiator!....
PRO
OnePlan
11 years ago
I'm glad he's coming back to re site it for you! It would bug the hell out of me too !!!
PRO
ASVInteriors
11 years ago
let us know how it goes shelley
bumblebee728
11 years ago
If all else fails and you're still not happy with it being off-center, you could trick the eye with window panels that go further out to the right. Place the rod so that it is centered over the radiator. This will give the appearance of the radiator being centered under the window.
chapstick049
11 years ago
I have no idea if anyone has suggested this yet. But perhaps try and paint it the same colour as the base colour of the tile? It will at least disguise it a little, make it less noticeable.
msterling
11 years ago
Hmm. My first question would be is the radiator sized correctly for the heat output needed in the room. Are there floor joists he was working around. I'd probably spend the money on a radiator cover that harmonizes with the room color if the radiator has the right heat output. (But I'm no pro, and in any event your bathroom already looks fantastic!)