Blocked cold feed solved

[kimmi99]

I would like to thank the forum members for pointing me in the right direction after trawling through numerous threads regarding blocked cold feed , pumping over etc . I have a potterton netaheat 10:16 and we have had a problem with the F&E tank filling with hot water (pumping over). We tried the magnet test on the H part of the pipework near the pump and it stuck like glue, plus our boiler had just started to kettle quiet loudly, we drained the system and put some Sentinel X400 sludge remover in hoping this would clear it, after about a week the F&E tank was near boiling point so this weekend we decided to cut the H pipework out, we couldn't believe how blocked the pipe was, just barely a pinhole was left for the water to flow through, we then decided to remake with solder joints after about 6 hours we finally had to stop as they were not taking due to moisture in the pipework, so this morning we were queueing up outside B&Q to pick up some push fit tees and straights etc (couldn't face soldering again), once all fitted we were dreading refilling the system just in case it leaked again, we filled then drained the system a couple of times to try and get out as much of the dirty water as we could, we have put in some more Sentimel X400 and will leave for approx 4 weeks to clear out the remainder of sludge, at around 6pm this evening we finally done it, cold water is now in the F&E tank and it seems our boiler is alot quieter, rads are lovely and hot but I still cant help checking the pipework and sending hubby upstairs in the loft to make sure everything is ok. yes I am a woman that does not mind getting their hands dirty.

So hopefully with have saved ourselfs £785, which is what British Gas quoted us for cutting out and powerflushing.

Thanks again for all your advice I don't think we would have tackled it without help.

 

[JohnD]

now that you have got the hang of DIY plumbing, you might consider splashing out another £100 on a Magnaclean and fitting it on a 22mm return pipe to the boiler.

I guarantee you will be amazed and delighted to see how much black sludge it collects, even after you think you have cleaned the system (you can never get it all out) and because it collects the black particles from the circulating water it will prevent future accumulations and blockages.

 

[kimmi99]

now that you have got the hang of DIY plumbing, you might consider splashing out another £100 on a Magnaclean and fitting it on a 22mm return pipe to the boiler.

I guarantee you will be amazed and delighted to see how much black sludge it collects, even after you think you have cleaned the system (you can never get it all out) and because it collects the black particles from the circulating water it will prevent future accumulations and blockages.

Thank you for your advice, I have read about this on the forum, it is something that we need.