Rogue Dealers In Cast Iron Radiators

By Author: Edward Hall
Total Articles: 93
Comment this article

Buyer bewares when purchasing a cast iron radiator. As cast iron radiators have risen in popularity many companies and individuals have joined the band wagon for a fast buck. Amongst the genuine of us, this has become a disconcerting problem within the industry as competition for the market place has become fierce.

The main point to watch out for is that the old original cast iron radiator you are about to purchase is really old and not a distressed finish reproduction radiator set at a high price. As the original radiator rapidly becomes an extinct species this practice is happening more and more. Also when buying an old original radiator make sure you gain some kind of guarantee or assurance that you may bring back the radiator if it leaks once installed as a leaking original is very difficult to fix.

Rogue dealers within the reproduction cast iron radiator market can also cause problems especially when you find that your newly installed radiator leaks. A professional dealer should have furbished you with clear lifting instructions prior to delivery and installation as improper handling of the radiator can cause ...
... leaks. Once leaks have occurred disreputable dealers will, after much argument, only offer you back the money for the radiator and leave you with the problem of finding another radiator the same size as your pipe work.

Also beware of dealers who quote that they are British Standard tested for quality and efficiency, many are not and you may find that the heat output they proclaim for the radiator is greater than it should be leaving you short of heat when you really need it. You will only find this a problem after installation when you experience a cold snap and the room will not heat sufficiently. If you are unsure of an advertised heat output, particularly with internet marketing, you can compare different sites for the same reproduction radiator and those sites which advertise the highest output per section of cast iron radiator are usually misleading you. Also it is known that some companies selling old original cast iron radiators proclaim they are British Standard tested, this is impossible as it is difficult to believe that each individual old radiator has been taken to the British Standard testing office and been tested, at great expense, before sale.

A good reputable dealer will undoubtedly offer a full radiator calculator service to ensure that you are getting the correct BTU for the rooms that they are to be fitted.

Pitfalls there are, like in many purchases we make in life, however with a little care and knowledge you can purchase cast iron radiators with confidence of good product and service from reputable dealers.

Edward Hall after 25 years in the plumbing and heating industry now writes and imparts his knowledge on the many varied radiators for sale on the market today. He has a great deal of experience on the subject matter and especially in the arena of cast iron radiators and reproduction cast iron radiators.