Advise - single pipe heating system

[Jack Ketch]

Hi

After a bit of advice, please.

I live in a small (12 units) purpose built (1989) block of flats. All the flats have their own central heating system which, we are told, is a single pipe system.

The landlord has informed us of the following facts. I would like your expert comment, please. I should add that the landlord is also the managing agent and contractor for repair and a bit of a ****

The system is inefficient. I am inclined to believe this point.

The copper pipes are in concrete and will corrode.

Pipes in the heating system are becoming furred up with calcium as we live in a hard water area. Not too convinced on this statement as the water is not being replaced in the system. If any clogging up surely it is ‘sludge’ (ferrous oxide?) caused by chemical reaction.

Radiators are special design, with in built bypass, and no longer available. The landlord has, in another flat, tried to add a bypass in the pipework, unsuccessfully.

Want to replace with ‘modern’ radiatiors with thermostatic valves. Having read comments on this site I have the opinion that you cannot use standard thermostatic valves with a Single Pipe System.

The tell us that when new boilers are fitted they can be affected by the poor flow of the old single pipe system causing overheating and shutting down.

Anyone who has a new boiler should consider the additional work to have the central heating system converted to a two pipe system.

Those with old boilers (eg Baxi Solo) should consider a complete upgrade, boiler and pipework.

What has prompted all this is that they are having problems fixing an existing issue after replacing all the radiators and having installed 2 new boilers. I get the impression they do not have a clue what they are doing

The point is that any work is chargeable to residents, so a nice little earner for them. I would like to be able to make an informed decision on what to do.


Thanks
Rick

 

[garyo]

If he's the landlord why is the work chargeable to you?

 

[cross thread]

i would be very surprised if its a one pipe that was installed in the 80s

 

[dhutch]

So for clarity, each flat has its own boiler and heating system? Or is it on a centralised system?

 

[Nige F]

Hi



I live in a purpose built (1989) block of flats. All the flats have their own central heating system which, we are told, is a single pipe system.

The landlord has informed us of the following facts. I would like your expert comment, please. I should add that the landlord is a bit of a ****

The system is inefficient. I am inclined to believe this point.

The copper pipes are in concrete and will corrode.



Radiators are special design, with in built bypass, and no longer available. The landlord has, in another flat, tried to add a bypass in the pipework,


Anyone who has a new boiler should consider the additional work to have the central heating system converted to a two pipe system.

the impression they do not have a clue what they are doing

The point is that any work is chargeable to residents, so a nice little earner for them. I would like to be able to make an informed decision on what to do.


Thanks
Rick

Do the rads have a central tapping underneath with a single valve ? I've seen them in a 70's block of social housing flats . The rads are "daisy chained " together with a one pipe loop. Yes the lot wants re doing from scratch.

 

[Jack Ketch]

Thanks for replies. The block was built by Jarvis and not for social housing but for leasehold sale. The lease is quite specific in that work on ch/hw systems is the responsibility of the landlord, rechargeable through the service charge. Each flat has it’s own boiler etc.

Nige F - I’ll have a look at how they are plumbed.

Does anyone know if the comments made about the radiators (no longer available) is true?

Rick

 

[MeldrewsMate]

A photo showing a sample 'special' radiator would be useful.
Are the pipes to the rads about 50mm apart, and generally in the centre of each rad?