Cold Radiators

Ben230477 · 9 May 2010

Hi All

I am getting close the end of my tether but I have a problem with my downstairs heating. I live in a three story house and i cannot get the downstairs rads to heat up. I have had the system flushed bled the rads changed the pump had the boiler serviced and removed the TRC units on the rads. I can only think there is a blockage somewhere but how do you find out where this is. The guys who has looked at this thinks it is the primary return but if this was the case would the rads on the top floor still heat up as they are already as this is where the boiler is

Please if there is a magic way of detecting a blockage or indeed something i have missed please can you let me know

linkyplumb · 9 May 2010

Have you tried turning of all other rads on the other floors.Could be a balancing issue.

Ben230477 · 9 May 2010

yes i have tried that one too but thank you for the comment wish i had a magic wand

bellairaphon · 9 May 2010

do the pipes get warm to the rad?? what system do you have combi/system

Nath

oldbuffer · 9 May 2010

What sort of system do you have. If its a combi or a sealed (no small tank for boiler) system, then almost certainly a blockage.

However, if unvented (one large one small cold tanks and a hot water cylinder) its possible that the two two port valves or single three port valve are / is not working properly. You could still get heat in the upstairs rads from the hot water system. Try turning the HW off, then opening the valve for the CH manually and see if it makes a difference.

Blockages tend to occur at elbows / tees, i.e. where a pipe changes direction sharply, and more in horizontal runs than vertical ones. Assuming you have copper or plastic pipes, try using a magnet in likely places. If it sticks, there is likely to be a blockage caused by magnetisable sludge.

LittlePlum2 · 9 May 2010

How big is your boiler? kilowatts? how many radiators??

Ben230477 · 10 May 2010

bellairaphon said:
do the pipes get warm to the rad?? what system do you have combi/system

Nath

Hi Nath

Thanks for the response, the in let pipe used to get warm but since we flushed the system it doesnt now

Many thanks

Ben

Ben230477 · 10 May 2010

oldbuffer said:
What sort of system do you have. If its a combi or a sealed (no small tank for boiler) system, then almost certainly a blockage.

However, if unvented (one large one small cold tanks and a hot water cylinder) its possible that the two two port valves or single three port valve are / is not working properly. You could still get heat in the upstairs rads from the hot water system. Try turning the HW off, then opening the valve for the CH manually and see if it makes a difference.

Blockages tend to occur at elbows / tees, i.e. where a pipe changes direction sharply, and more in horizontal runs than vertical ones. Assuming you have copper or plastic pipes, try using a magnet in likely places. If it sticks, there is likely to be a blockage caused by magnetisable sludge.

Ben230477 · 10 May 2010

oldbuffer said:
What sort of system do you have. If its a combi or a sealed (no small tank for boiler) system, then almost certainly a blockage.

However, if unvented (one large one small cold tanks and a hot water cylinder) its possible that the two two port valves or single three port valve are / is not working properly. You could still get heat in the upstairs rads from the hot water system. Try turning the HW off, then opening the valve for the CH manually and see if it makes a difference.

Blockages tend to occur at elbows / tees, i.e. where a pipe changes direction sharply, and more in horizontal runs than vertical ones. Assuming you have copper or plastic pipes, try using a magnet in likely places. If it sticks, there is likely to be a blockage caused by magnetisable sludge.

Many thanks for this I will try this. It is a combi system. Where should I be looking for the blockage. Would it be near the primary return or downstairs. I appreciate it is a bit like how long is a piece of string but if you could have an educated guess it would be better than mine

Many thanks again much appreciated

Ben230477 · 10 May 2010

LittlePlum2 said:
How big is your boiler? kilowatts? how many radiators??

I really couldnt tell you how many kilowatts it is but it is a Gloworm boiler heating 13 rads I think it is an 18hxi unit

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Cold Radiators

LittlePlum2

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