Cleaning radiator with hose

zenonithus · 26 Sep 2018

Hi all. I've taken my radiators off and had them stored in a garage. When I took them out they had quite a bit of dirt outside and in as well as dust from the years before. Is it safe to assume I can just hose them down outside before I put them back up? cheers

Gorners · 26 Sep 2018

zenonithus · 26 Sep 2018

ok cool, cheers Gorners

fixitflav · 26 Sep 2018

zenonithus said:
Hi all. I've taken my radiators off and had them stored in a garage. When I took them out they had quite a bit of dirt outside and in as well as dust from the years before. Is it safe to assume I can just hose them down outside before I put them back up? cheers

Well, I would hose them through inside as well, and invert them several times until the water runs clear.

zenonithus · 26 Sep 2018

Yeah will rinse them inside as that's where most of the dirt and dust is. What do you mean by invert?

fixitflav · 26 Sep 2018

zenonithus said:
Yeah will rinse them inside as that's where most of the dirt and dust is. What do you mean by invert?

I meant if you just keep the rad upright the flushing water will run along the bottom and out the other end. That's probably where most of the muck is, but while you're at it I would lay it down flat and lift the bottom end up a time or 2, with the hose running, then upright again for the final rinse and drain.

lemon_1 · 26 Sep 2018

Alongside the hose through id also take a rubber mallet to them to help dislodge sludge.

That's what I did about 3.5 years ago and have added inhibitor every year since. Jobs a good un. Piping hot radiators top to bottom!

Also, with my installation I used an old fashioned manometer to check mb drop. Maybe I'll post pictures of my install if you guys would like

Mottie · 26 Sep 2018

lemon_1 said:
Alongside the hose through is also take a river mallet to them to help dislodge sludge.

And if that doesn't work, try swapping the river mallet for a rubber one.

lemon_1 · 26 Sep 2018

Motman said:
And if that doesn't work, try swapping the river mallet for a rubber one.

Lol Android auto correct!

zenonithus · 26 Sep 2018

good advice guys will try inverting and giving a tap with the mallet. Whats inhibitor and where do you apply that?

lemon_1 · 26 Sep 2018

zenonithus said:
good advice guys will try inverting and giving a tap with the mallet. Whats inhibitor and where do you apply that?

Inhibitor:
https://www.screwfix.com/c/heating-plumbing/inhibitor-protector/cat831474

It basically stops your radiators rusting from the inside (which causes sludge). If you've got a towel radiator just tip it in to the radiator before you fill the system.

But if you want complete protection maybe install a magnetic filter too (eg magnaclean ).. this would fit on to your central heating return pipe (you'd need to cut the pipe to install it)

zenonithus · 26 Sep 2018

ah great! thanks for the advice on that. Will try the inhibitor first on my towel rad and look into the magnetic filter. Might post a pic later to see if anyone can identify the return pipe.

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Cleaning radiator with hose

Similar threads