Why are there no old school heating engineers?

[debbiea]

Symptoms: Central heating system conventional, two rads one upstairs one down filling with air weekly, pumping over a bit and more in summer, magnet sticking to some pipes in airing cupboard.

Action required according to advice here: powerflush, cut out and replace affected pipes if necessary. Add inhibitor and a magnetic filter.

Can I get anyone to do this? No. Umpteen engineers won’t touch it. Either they want to rip it out and replace with a combi or insist I must have an underground leak even though there’s no signs of damp or smell. We have lots of hot water which heats quickly and radiators are nice and hot when bled. Our house is warmer than our neighbours and our bills are less Our Worcester boiler has been a star for 12 years.

My husband is believing these engineers that a combi is best (we have two baths and a cloakroom) but I’m not sure. One engineer thought it would be easier for me to continually bleed a combi rather than radiators and if there was an underground leak why would I want to dig up concrete.

Is what I’m asking for a difficult job?

 

[avonmouth]

I am an old school engineer.Fitted my first freestanding boiler in 1976 and my first combi in 1982.I have pretty much fitted every type of boiler and system since then but would not be able to help you without seeing your set up and problems.
My own system,that i have installed, consists of a multi fuel stove,hot water cylinder and five rads.It works great,suits me and is cheap to run as i own my own woodland. We are all different and have different needs.

 

[CountryFan]

Is what I’m asking for a difficult job?

No. Unfortunately you're asking the wrong people (Combi slingers).

My husband is believing these engineers that a combi is best (we have two baths and a cloakroom) but I’m not sure.

No, you're not better suited to a combi at all.

One engineer thought it would be easier for me to continually bleed a combi rather than radiators and if there was an underground leak why would I want to dig up concrete.

I'm not sure I consider myself old school but I wouldn't try and sell something you didn't need. Bleeding a combi is just ridiculous and would damage the new boiler prematurely.

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

Short answer to your questions is, No. Whereabouts in the World are you? There are a number of good People on here, someone might be local or can put you onto someone who can help.

Most Combi's will struggle to supply two bathrooms simultaneously, and that in itself will depend on the ability of the incoming supply. Secondly, whilst a Combi is heating the Hot Water, it's not heating the house.

Any system that requires constant bleeding needs looking at, a healthy system under normal operation should rarely require any attention.

 

[debbiea]

Glaagow

 

[Exedon]

I am an old school engineer.Fitted my first freestanding boiler in 1976

But a young one !
First fitted a boiler (under supervision) in early 1969 vulcan autostat.
Still working fitting a 70kw Grant next week.
As above don't get a combi especially from s box slinging team.

 

[debbiea]

so I think after a lot of research and magnets that there is a blockage in airing cupboard pipe (copper). Is that generally an easy enough job for an experienced engineer?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

so I think after a lot of research and magnets that there is a blockage in airing cupboard pipe (copper). Is that generally an easy enough job for an experienced engineer?

Any, half-decent plumber, ought to be able to clear, or if necessary, replace that pipe.

 

[Exedon]

so I think after a lot of research and magnets that there is a blockage in airing cupboard pipe (copper). Is that generally an easy enough job for an experienced engineer?

For anyone with half a idea strait forward.
Undoubtedly blocked near pump/open vent cold feed connection.
Repipe add decent filter refill add X400 run for 4 weeks drain cold flush if needed .
Refill adding inhibitor.
Run of the mill stuff but not as well paid as throwing a combi on wall.

 

[debbiea]

It’s nuts. If I was qualified I’d do it myself. I just think we need to try this before looking at expensive leak detectives and new boilers. Are you saying a chemical flush rather than a powerflush?

 

[Exedon]

I'd Certainly try a chemical flush you can probably do the drain down and refill yourself.
If it works cost of power flush saved.

 

[debbiea]

Thank you. I’ll see if I can get someone to do that.

 

[denso13]

Powerflush, old school? Lol, only kidding...

 

[Madrab]

Oh dear - You are talking to the wrong folks if all they are saying is to throw a combi at it. Especially with more than one bathroom. (edit) Unfortunately, your husband is listening the wrong advice. What you're asking for is not really a difficult job, no. More money to them in a swap though, rather than a maintenance, easier too for some that don't have any open vent experience.

Nothing wrong with a gravity system if it's looked after. If one or 2 rads are filling with air all the time then I'm not surprised that the 'H' section with the feed and vent is blocked up and you are suffering from pumping over, one can feed the other.

Powerflush can be avoided if all the rads can be remove and manually flushed, or as suggested - system filled with cleaner, ran for a week or 2 then a drain/fill/drain/fill......

 

[debbiea]

hopefully without getting an airlock. Happened a few years ago and was a nightmare.