8mm MicroBore

[stevec59]

Hi Guys,
Hope you can advise, I'm looking to buy a Bungalow and it has 8mm Microbore, I've read some of the information on the web and it looks like it's OK, question is, should I flush it through or get a plumer to flush it though for me.
Should I put Fernox or similar in the system?
Is there anything else that I can do to stop the system clogging up?

Many Thanks

Steve

 

[ollski]

Generally microbore runs on manifolds and is virtually impossible to flush, but if the rads heat up fully and quickly it might be well looked after and just require a treatment of inhibitor.

 

[stevec59]

Thaks for that,
I'm not a plumer, so I don't know that much, but I had a feeling that it went via a manifold. Is there any In Line Inhibiter I can put on the Pie out of the boiler, not sure if that is 15mm or 22mm, but I guess you can different sizes

Maybe something like

http://www.screwfix.com/p/adey-magn... and Cooling&gclid=CM-BqPiSr8UCFerjwgodzEYA1g

Mit expensive, but might be worth it, not sure waht 'black iron oxide' is, is it the sludge that come out of radiators?

Thanks Again

Steve

 

[Agile]

If you buy it you need to see if all rads heat up well.

In that case for peace of mind you need to look at a sample of water to see the colour.

If somewhat dirty then you could add a sludge remover like X400 or X800.

The worst case is rads with both pipes at one end. Any problems with those they usually need repiping.

Properly maintained 8 mm system can still work but not many heating engineers would want to fit them as new any more!

Tony

 

[Whitespirit66]

If all working well, then, as you have gathered, preventative maintenance is your best bet. Keeping the correct concentration of inhibitor in the system is a good start. I would also definitely be fitting the Magnaclean. It may be £110, but that cost will pale into insignificance if you get a blockage and need to get a plumber to trace and unblock.

Your main enemy will be magnetite, which is basically rust flakes - mostly from corrosion inside the steel rads. The inhibitor helps prevent corrosion, and the filter should mop up a lot of the debris as it travels around the system.

 

[stevec59]

Thanks all, I've jut been watching youtube, looks good, it does require maintenance 'Adey MC1 MagnaClean Protector Liquid' £19.99 at Wickes, any idea how often it needs to be replaced, I guess a bit depends upon the system?

I'm guessing you can use this on Microbore, that goes to a manifold?

Thanks Again,

Steve

 

[Whitespirit66]

Don't bother with protector fluid. Make sure all rads heat up properly, drain down, refill with water + corrosion inhibitor, Fernox, etc.

Yes, filter fine with m/bore. It goes on the return pipe just before boiler. Therefore, it removes debris from whole system, because all the system's water has to return to boiler to be re-heated.

 

[stevec59]

Thanks again, this might seem a daft question, but how to I know what pipe is the return (are they labelled on the boiler? Or might the bolier instructions \ Installation manual tell you), I have done some pipe work, so I guess I can fit this myself, the Youtube video loooks straight forward.

Steve

 

[simond]

It will be the cooler one of the two.

NB: Identifying a specific pipe via an internet forum on a boiler does need one crucial, but missing, piece of information.

The filter advice is good; with microbore, if it works, leave it alone. Stirring up muck in radiators can create issues, the only way to clean them is to take them off the wall. The microbore itself usually stays clean due to the water velocity, unless something large gets washed into it.

 

[stevec59]

Thank you