INHIBITOR

JSM · 22 Aug 2009

Hello Everyone,

I would be extremely grateful for your kind assistance in solving a problem before the warranty runs out on my new flat.

1. Is it possible to put inhibitor into a central heating system without draining it and re-filling it?

2. If it is possible, is it wise to do so?

3. In a two bedroom flat, is it possible to drain the system, put in inhibitor and refill the system in 15 minutes?

Thank you in anticipation of your very kind assistance.

mickyg · 22 Aug 2009

1. yes http://www.fernox.com/?cccpage=protector_F1Express&sub=1
2. yes
3. pushing it, maybe

BingoBongo · 22 Aug 2009

i would recomend cleanser first

then inhibitor

is it a sealed system or open vented

JSM · 22 Aug 2009

Hi BingoBongo,

It is a sealed system. It was three years before we realised that inhibitor had not been added. Plumber came and injected inhibitor. Should I be concerned? Thanks for your help.

JohnD · 22 Aug 2009

were you getting a lot of gas in the radiators, and black water when you bleed them?

As it is a sealed system, and only 3 years old, it may not need a powerflush, you can do a lot of good with a simple chemical clean and preferably adding a Magnaclean device.

Depending on whether you DIY or get someone in, it will cost between £30 and several hundred. A professional will probbaly recommend a powerflush which is half a days work and more expensive, it will do a more thorough job.

Doing a chemical clean is a fairly simple DIY plumbing job, fitting a Magnaclean needs some plumbing skill to make cuts and joints but is within reach of a DIYer.

JSM · 22 Aug 2009

Hi JohnD,

Thank you for that. The problem is that it is my daughter who lives in the flat. The plumbers claimed to have drained the system but I don't think I believe tham as they were only there 15 minutes.

I am encouraged that you think it may not need a power flush.

Does a chemical clean require draining the system and refilling?

Many thanks

Agile · 22 Aug 2009

Adding inhibitor is a British thing!

I gather that in many countries they dont add it but just rely on having a clean system at the outset.

In the UK I always add it because we are told that its required!

But we have all seen systems which have had no inhibiter which are totally clean after 5 or 10 years !

Its very important to flush out when its first installer several times to get rf of acidic flux residues. If thats done then there is little in a sealed system to cause corrosion.

Tony

JohnD · 22 Aug 2009

I am not a plumber and have only had open-vented systems, which are notorious for getting diirty. Agile knows about these things, so the questions about gas and black water apply. Maybe yours is clean

namsag · 22 Aug 2009

I knew if i stayed on this site Agile would eventually talk sense.

JSM · 22 Aug 2009

Many thanks, everyone.

jiltedjohn · 28 Aug 2009

Agile said:
Adding inhibitor is a British thing!

I gather that in many countries they dont add it but just rely on having a clean system at the outset.

In the UK I always add it because we are told that its required!

But we have all seen systems which have had no inhibiter which are totally clean after 5 or 10 years !

Its very important to flush out when its first installer several times to get rf of acidic flux residues. If thats done then there is little in a sealed system to cause corrosion.

Tony

the biggest problem with UK systems has been poor installation, incorrect fitting of cold feed and open vent and pump has created systems that pump over or suck in air causing corrosion, leading to gassing and oxide sludge! sealed systems are standard in most countries so they don't suffer from this, inhibitors are more necassary now because of the greater mix of metals and resulting electolytic corrosion.

doitall · 28 Aug 2009

My open vented system has never had anything init in the last 30 odd years

Would probably need a large skip to take the sludge if I drained it out mind

diynot

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INHIBITOR

namsag

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