back boiler help

[mbrown71]

hi can anyone help 1 recently moved into a house that has a back boiler heating system, we have no idea how to work it, we can get hot water but all downstairs radiaters dont work and they were turned off cos some leaked, we are going to replace the ends you turn on and put on thermostats but we have no idea what to do if this doent work, also there doent appear to be a drain valve to drain the system, can anyone advise?

 

[Agile]

I am not sure what to tell you.

From how you describe what has to be done I dont see you as having the necessary skills to replace the rad valves, flush out the system and get it working properly.

Tony

 

[mbrown71]

I am not sure what to tell you.

From how you describe what has to be done I dont see you as having the necessary skills to replace the rad valves, flush out the system and get it working properly.

Tony

hi ive got someone coming tomorrow to drain, flush and replace both valves but i just wondered if that would solve the problem of cold radiaters, the one upstairs is working fine so does that mean its not too big a problem, and yes i know nothing and have no plumbing skills at all!

 

[gas4you]

Sounds like an old gravity primary system and the pump has stuck because the rads haven't been used for ages.

Upstairs rads may get hot with gravity circulation as well.

 

[mbrown71]

Sounds like an old gravity primary system and the pump has stuck because the rads haven't been used for ages.

Upstairs rads may get hot with gravity circulation as well.

hi all upstairs radiaters are now hot, just downstairs are cold,water is on and main ch is on, what could we do now, would draining and replacing all valves make a difference or is there something else we need to do, where is the pump likely to be?

 

[gas4you]

Locate the pump and remove the silver screw in the middle, insert a flat screwdriver in and see if you can turn the pump to free it.

 

[Agile]

The pump was usually within 2 m of the boiler.

Sometimes under the floor, sometimes in a false wall on one side of the chimney breast and wall papered all over.

Tony

 

[mbrown71]

The pump was usually within 2 m of the boiler.

Sometimes under the floor, sometimes in a false wall on one side of the chimney breast and wall papered all over.

Tony

hi have located wall as you said but no pump. there are two pipes one goes into chimney breast while the other is the drainoff pipe. will i have to rip the floor up?

 

[Agile]

The pump will be on the pipes so follow ther to see where they go.

Its rare but it might be beside the cylinder.

Tony

 

[mbrown71]

The pump will be on the pipes so follow ther to see where they go.

Its rare but it might be beside the cylinder.

Tony

what and where is the cylinder as i said i have no idea about ch at all

 

[Agile]

The cylinder is a big copper tank where the hot water is stored. Often found in airing cupboards.

Its as big as a woman if thats any help! ( Alnough not those skinny ones at the exibition this week )

Tony

 

[namsag]

AGILE..Think your getting wound up

 

[mbrown71]

The cylinder is a big copper tank where the hot water is stored. Often found in airing cupboards.

Its as big as a woman if thats any help! ( Alnough not those skinny ones at the exibition this week )

Tony

is that likely to be in the attic, cos knowhere else in house?
if its not there will i have to get a plumber in to look under floor? bloke ive got coming isnt a plumber, just knows a bit about ch systems

 

[gas4you]

Have you got an airing cupboard?

A green or orange/yellow foamed cylinder in it? 36" tall and 18" diameter approx?

Could be in loft. Pump is a lump of metal about the size of 2 fists with a copper pipe on each end.

Any help?

 

[mbrown71]

Have you got an airing cupboard?

A green or orange/yellow foamed cylinder in it? 36" tall and 18" diameter approx?

Could be in loft. Pump is a lump of metal about the size of 2 fists with a copper pipe on each end.

Any help?

hi yes know what a cylinder is now youve said airing cupboard, no i dont have one but havent been in loft so will get someone (husband!)to check it. Do you think this is most likely to be the problem cos woman we baught off is an old friend who am still in contact with and she said it all worked fine but shes had it turned off for the summer? also is it worth getting the valves changed anyway if they leak slightly and draining down the system?