Questions about my pressurised system

Lizardbouy · 15 Aug 2010

Hi,
First time poster but you guys all look really friendly and helpful so here goes

I have a pressurised system that's been fine for two years but I now have a few questions

If I want to change some radiators then I need to drain the system but when I did that today (pipe on release valve, opened valve etc) and then I tried to heat up water the whole system made much more noise than usual!

Do I have to have filled radiators in order to heat water for the taps? I can't see why I would but clearly I don't know what I'm doing.

I was planning on having a drained system for a few weeks but I don't want to be without hot water for that long

Any thoughs!

picasso · 15 Aug 2010

your absolutely right, you need your rads filled with water and the system pressurised to 1 bar (there is a small dial on your boiler)you wont get hot water without it, I am assuming you have a combi boiler , or do you have a hot water cylinder ?

kevplumb · 15 Aug 2010

I need to drain the system but when I did that today (pipe on release valve, opened valve etc) and then I tried to heat up water the whole system made much more noise than usual!

i assume combi boiler make model ?

you are running the system dry

stop now

before you total the full system

if you need hot water sometimes the boiler can be pressurised seperatly depends on the make/model

Lizardbouy · 15 Aug 2010

Thanks guys
Boiler is British gas 330 (non combi)
Cylinder is ariston unvented WRc-NSF

So if I can't have hot water for my taps without having full rads but I am replacing four rads and one in a room that needs plastering (so I can't do it in a day!) then what are my options?

MickyP10 · 15 Aug 2010

I'm not a plumber but I'm guessing you will be without hot water!

45yearsagasman · 15 Aug 2010

If your unvented is fitted with an immersion heater you can use that while the rads are drained,failing that make do with kettles until you can properly refill the system.You will do a lot of damage if you disregard all the advice given on here.

Lizardbouy · 15 Aug 2010

Fair enough gents! I have a professional booked for the fitting of the new ones but I'd assumed a gap of two weeks to allow me to decorate behind where the new radiators are going! I guess I better shorten that timeline!

Thanks everyone for help so far

muggles · 15 Aug 2010

Immersion will keep your water hot, it'll cost a bit more to run though

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Questions about my pressurised system

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