Carrying out a Repair Without Draining System

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OscarFoxtrot

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Hello!

I've been asked if I can help out someone who damaged a pipe (microbore) just below the TRV when removing a radiator from the wall.

The pipe is clinched at the moment and not passing. As soon as I lift the rad and straighten the pipe it will leak. I plan on cutting it and refitting to the TRV as there is plenty of length in the pipe below floor.

System is an old vented system, Radiators are old, boiler looks a fair age but has been working perfectly.

I'm afraid to drain the system and refill it. Is there an alternative?

I've never used a freeze kit.

Another plan I had was to quickly cut the pipe below the floor (plenty room) and fit an isolating valve, carry out repair above ground, oven valve then bleed Rad. Other than getting a quick shower is this a viable option or is the risk of an air lock too great?

Many thanks for any assistance :)
 
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I'm afraid to drain the system and refill it. Is there an alternative?
Click to expand...

Why? If all your worried about is an air-lock, you may want to leave the job to someone else.

Bung the c/f and o/v if you have to.

Jumping it live may cause you a world of pain - why the rush?
 
Why let a golden opportunity to expand your knowledge pass you by
Why not use a Freezer kit it is a dodle and a Rad Valve repair or replacement is the ideal first time freeze!! ;)
 
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Personally, I can't see it economically viable hiring a freezing kit for this.
100 rad valves in a building, or an inch and a half main in a block of flats then yes.

The canisters are ok I guess, so perhaps thats an idea. :unsure:

It takes 5 minutes to bung it, and if you don't know how to bung a system, I wouldn't bank on a rad vlv being changed in the time a chemical freezer kit works.

Perhaps I'm too carefull? :oops:
 
We own our freezer kit a Jetfreeze system it uses a BOC CO2 cylinder that costs about £40 a fill - one tank is enough to freeze about 20 valves
the ice plug is good for as long as the job takes - within reason!
it would not be worth freezing 100 individual valves on a job - it would be more cost efective to drain the system!!
however on a small domestic system plugging the feed & vent is usually very sucessful! ;)
 
Reluctance to drain is due to only ever having drained and refilled one such system before and that was while working alongside a plumber.

I understand the theory of it but may struggle if the old boiler failed to fire up again. That and the house is massive with approx 16 old radiators. Also the drain valve isn't in a good location and would require a bit of work to get a hose outside. That and I wouldn't have too much time if I went ahead with it.

Was just wondering whether trying it live was a viable alternative.

Cheers
 
Electric freeze kits are good but tbh I'd just drain the system.

Do you own a wet vac? If so you could bung the cold feed and expansion and have the wet vac at the rad while you do the swap. Used this method few times too
 
If you turn off all the rad valves first then there is very little water to drain from the system.

Tony
 
Cheers Tony. If I did it that way what would be the procedure for refilling? Open all rads after repair is done, refill then bleed all round?

Don't have a wet vac looney :( A little bit of excess water above ground wouldn't matter too much, theres nothing but lots of space below the floorsc :LOL:
 
Bought a bung kit and tried to repair the pipe earlier today.

Couldn't get near the tank as it is fitted as high against the peak of the roof as possible. Couldn't get my hand in it never mind tried to fit the bung. Something else that concerned me was a lack of an over flow pipe, only a hole in the tank where the pipe would likely go.

P.S. The water in the tank was very, very hot.
 
You evidently have pumpover. See FAQ for explanation.

This very quickly forms sludge in the system and quickly blocks the pipework. Also it rusts rads from the inside and causes pinhole leaks.

Tony
 
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