Single Loop Pipe system!

Jonny F · 28 Nov 2005

I recently had a plumber round for a quote for a bathroom job and while here asked about some problems with rads (not hot at one end of bungalow).
He said it would be difficult for him to work out if this place is on a loop pipe system or flow and return so didn't want to get involved.
I understand the principle of loop pipe but is there an easy way of working out what I've got short of hacking up concrete floors to see if there are 2 pipes everywhere?
Built/installed around 1980.
Thankyou

ChrisR · 28 Nov 2005

In a single pipe system the water cools as it goes from rad to rad. So if you turn the pump speed down the effect should be more obvious, turn it up and you might get all your rads hot!. Beggar all to do with a bathroom refit though!

ChrisR · 28 Nov 2005

Jonny F · 28 Nov 2005

I know it's nothing to do with the bathroom work.
That was just setting the contect for the plumber being here in the first place.
Have looked around the net and the only diagram I found implies water enters at the bottom of the rad and leaves at the top, is this true in any way?
http://www.diydata.com/planning/central_heating/pipework.htm

slippyr4 · 28 Nov 2005

Jonny F said:
I know it's nothing to do with the bathroom work.
That was just setting the contect for the plumber being here in the first place.
Have looked around the net and the only diagram I found implies water enters at the bottom of the rad and leaves at the top, is this true in any way?
http://www.diydata.com/planning/central_heating/pipework.htm[/QUOTE]

In a single pipe system, it's usually connected with one pipe at the bottom, one at the top. But not always, so you can't rely on it.

But, to be honest, if your plumber can't be arsed to work out what pipe system your house is on, then you should find a better plumber.

chrishutt · 28 Nov 2005

If the system was installed in 1980, it's very unlikely to be single pipe. Such systems date back to the 60s and earlier I think.

In any case, radiator connections could all be to the bottom of the rad, so this doesn't tell you anything. I think your "plumber" is just a bathroom fitter and doesn't understand heating systems.

The diagram of single pipe on the diydata.com link is wrong. Ignore it.

slippyr4 · 28 Nov 2005

One reasonable way to tell if it's a single pipe system (particularly if both pipes are at the bottom) is by how long it takes to warm up when you fire the heating. Bloody ages = single pipe.

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Single Loop Pipe system!

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