Calcium build up and leak from rad pipe

[ey143]

Could someone pls tell me what my rad pipe has calcium build up and why there is blue type liquid leaking into that tissue? I'm not living in the house as it will soon be renovated.

Thanks.

 

[TCCHeating]

The white deposits are the salts from the water. As the water from the leak evaporates. The salts are left behind. Similar principle to how stalagtites are formed.

The blue water is probably flux residues in the central heating water attacking the copper. Could also be antifreeze.

 

[ey143]

Is this all bad news for the system?

House hasn't been occupied for a year and boiler off for most of that time and only recently set to come on at 7 degrees.

 

[JohnD]

start by taking off that rad valve and putting it on properly. If it has been damaged (it looks crooked) you might have to buy a new one.

green and blue stains around copper pipe are very common and need not be alarming. Clean it all up with green nylon pan scourer when you've finished, and any new deposits will be easy to spot.

if you discover much sediment coming out while you work, you can give the system a chemical clean, and add inhibitor on final fill. As you have had a long term leak you have to assume that the original inhibitor has leaked away by now.

 

[ey143]

It's quite possible we will replace the whole central heating system as we renovate the house next year. Is it likely the pipes could have furred up or are the two things mutually exclusive? Is it OK to leave it is?

The.

 

[JohnD]

that leak does not indicate that the system has furred up, however it does indicate that it needs the inhibitor renewed.

 

[holty]

If thats the same system connected to the viessmann boiler. Get ready for some nice crunchy hoses inside the boiler. P.s dont use the comfort setting on the boiler either. You will have the plate heat ex blocked in no time.