Hi,
My CH system is playing up. (Gravity fed system with Gloworm Ultimate 120FF, two motorised valves, bypass valve and TRVs on each rad.) The symptoms are kettling every 10-15 minutes. This has only started in the last couple of weeks. I have read the FAQs and checked a few things and I think the most likely culprit is sludge build up in the heat exchanger. I have about 20 rads in the house and some have the tell-tale build up in them but we have just lived with it for a few years. My plan is to remove them 1 by one in the spring and flush them through with a hosepipe. I have tried power flushing twice before with little success (once myself and once with a plumber).
I thought that the problem was air in the system initially as I have had some building work done and rads removed. I have bled the air though with little improvement. I also guess that the inhibitor strength will be low as this has not been topped up since the builder left.
I have checked the pump, the motorised valves and bled all the air out of the system but I still can't get the rads very hot or the kettling to stop.
I am loathed to touch the system for a few days as HW is OK and the rads get warm (and I mean warm only) which keeps the chill off. (I have two small children so I need some heat and HW).
My plan is to drain down the system partially and add some Central Heating cleaner & sludge remover (I have some stuff called Flushex which recommends being in the system for 4 weeks). Then flush through and refill with Sentinel Inhibitor.
Am I wasting my time or do you think it is worth a go? I also need to find a decent plumber in the Basingstoke area. I have only ever got two from Yellow Pages and they had no idea.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
My CH system is playing up. (Gravity fed system with Gloworm Ultimate 120FF, two motorised valves, bypass valve and TRVs on each rad.) The symptoms are kettling every 10-15 minutes. This has only started in the last couple of weeks. I have read the FAQs and checked a few things and I think the most likely culprit is sludge build up in the heat exchanger. I have about 20 rads in the house and some have the tell-tale build up in them but we have just lived with it for a few years. My plan is to remove them 1 by one in the spring and flush them through with a hosepipe. I have tried power flushing twice before with little success (once myself and once with a plumber).
I thought that the problem was air in the system initially as I have had some building work done and rads removed. I have bled the air though with little improvement. I also guess that the inhibitor strength will be low as this has not been topped up since the builder left.
I have checked the pump, the motorised valves and bled all the air out of the system but I still can't get the rads very hot or the kettling to stop.
I am loathed to touch the system for a few days as HW is OK and the rads get warm (and I mean warm only) which keeps the chill off. (I have two small children so I need some heat and HW).
My plan is to drain down the system partially and add some Central Heating cleaner & sludge remover (I have some stuff called Flushex which recommends being in the system for 4 weeks). Then flush through and refill with Sentinel Inhibitor.
Am I wasting my time or do you think it is worth a go? I also need to find a decent plumber in the Basingstoke area. I have only ever got two from Yellow Pages and they had no idea.
Thanks in advance for any advice.