I moved to a 10 year old detached house about 18months ago which I later found out was on an estate well known for heating problems caused by sludge formation in the system. Having survived a harsh winter, I think our system is not too bad at the moment –except that the two lounge radiators and the bathroom radiator have large sludge deposits in the bottom which greatly affect the heat output.
The heating system is 10mm microbore and has a new Worcester Combi-Condensing boiler fitted. I have learnt from my neighbours that the main part of the system is made up of plastic microbore pipework but that there are no manifolds -although I find this hard to believe. Apparently the 10mm copper coming out of the wall only makes up a small part of the system.
My neighbour says that the system was pressure flushed on at least two occasions by the previous owners, but I think I can expect the sludge problem in radiators to get as bad as some of the other houses on the estate in a short time!
I have successfully installed two towel rail radiators and had planned to just replace the problem radiators in the lounge (fitting TRV’s at the same time) before filling up the system and adding inhibitor.
But I would like to know:-
a) Are there any ways that the “sludging up” of the system could be stopped?
b) Is there any sort of electrolysis going on due to the radiators not being connected by copper pipe?
c) Would my best course of action be to add Sentinel X400 to the system for about 4 weeks, drain the system, flush the system, replace the lounge radiators and refill the system together with Sentinel X100 or Fernox inhibitor?
d) Assuming the house radiators fitted were of the ‘cheap and cheerful’ type, are there any better quality ones on the market that would resist rusting?
e) Is Sentinel safe to use on plastic pipes?
Lots of questions. Any answers please?
The heating system is 10mm microbore and has a new Worcester Combi-Condensing boiler fitted. I have learnt from my neighbours that the main part of the system is made up of plastic microbore pipework but that there are no manifolds -although I find this hard to believe. Apparently the 10mm copper coming out of the wall only makes up a small part of the system.
My neighbour says that the system was pressure flushed on at least two occasions by the previous owners, but I think I can expect the sludge problem in radiators to get as bad as some of the other houses on the estate in a short time!
I have successfully installed two towel rail radiators and had planned to just replace the problem radiators in the lounge (fitting TRV’s at the same time) before filling up the system and adding inhibitor.
But I would like to know:-
a) Are there any ways that the “sludging up” of the system could be stopped?
b) Is there any sort of electrolysis going on due to the radiators not being connected by copper pipe?
c) Would my best course of action be to add Sentinel X400 to the system for about 4 weeks, drain the system, flush the system, replace the lounge radiators and refill the system together with Sentinel X100 or Fernox inhibitor?
d) Assuming the house radiators fitted were of the ‘cheap and cheerful’ type, are there any better quality ones on the market that would resist rusting?
e) Is Sentinel safe to use on plastic pipes?
Lots of questions. Any answers please?