Ongoing issue with air in system

[debbiea]

So re my previous posts about a lot of air getting into two radiators (conventional boiler) Magnet sticking to part of thin pipe in airing cupboard and no inhibitor ever been added I finally got a company to come out. They didn’t think this would be causing the air as there was way too much air in the two radiators for it to be just that and the downstairs radiator spurts out rust coloured water when bled (newish radiator). He suggested getting a leak detective out to inspect the ground floor. There are no signs of damp or leaks (new build style house). I’m not really wanting to spend hundreds of pounds if it isn’t necessary. What do you think?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What do you think?

I think, it is likely hydrogen, as a result of the radiators rusting internally, collecting in those radiators. A result of a desperately poor maintenance regime..

As a matter of urgency, it needs at the very least, a thorough flush out, clearing of all the rusty water and magnetite, fresh water added, some inhibitor, and maybe a filter. If you are lucky, that might salvage your system.

 

[debbiea]

I asked them that but they didn’t seem to want to do it. Do you mean a powerflush or chemical flush?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I asked them that but they didn’t seem to want to do it. Do you mean a powerflush or chemical flush?

That depends on how badly choked up your system is, and needs on site advice. Confusingly - you mentioned having a new radiator installed, and it being a new build style house. Just how old is the system, how old the boiler, and why is it so neglected?

 

[debbiea]

It’s new build ‘style’ but about 30 years so the pipes will be that age. The boiler is about 10 yrs old and that’s never been an issue

 

[Razor900]

Get someone to hold a glass of water up in the loft with just the last inch or so of the vent pipe under water and turn the system on and off a few times. If it drinks the water or spits more out then you probably have a blockage in the airing cupboard

 

[Scally-Ho]

It’s new build ‘style’ but about 30 years so the pipes will be that age. The boiler is about 10 yrs old and that’s never been an issue

Around 30-40 yrs ago there was a copper shortage and steel pipes of the same dimensions were sometimes used. Check to see what the pipework actually is.

 

[Razor900]

It's nowhere near old enough to have truwell tube installed.

It's probably the usual 90s system with an airjec and cold feed that's restricted. The way they work to vent a system makes them prone to collecting everything