Draining system when its very cold outside???

[windymill]

Hi, We are looking to change our ensuite asap, however its very cold outside at moment. As system needs draining can it be done now or do we need to wait till its warmer? What is lowest temp this can be done? Many thanks

 

[Newboy]

You can drain your central heating system at any external temperature.

Why do you need to drain you system down?

 

[windymill]

Thanks. To take out bath toilet and sink.

 

[windymill]

We have new fixtures arriving Tuesday and wanted to take old out today.

 

[Madrab]

Your hot and cold water then? You don't need to drain down, just turn it all off and release the pressure then loosen off the appliance supply pipes and drain any residual water. Do they have isolation/service valves? If not, I'd install them so you can then turn the water back on for the rest of the house.

 

[windymill]

Yes hot and cold. Have no isolation valves but will be putting them in. Wasnt sure if pipes needed to be a certain temp, its only 4 deg here max today. Also thinking of boiler as well. If tank is drained would need to turn heating off? No heating not a problem whilst doing but would it create problems to systems if cold?

 

[steve32]

What tank are you draining, why do you Need to turn heating off, your only removing bathroom fittings

 

[windymill]

We need to stop hot and cold pipes and replace with isolation valves then install new fittings. Does draining hot and cold mean it affects central heating? Thanks

 

[Madrab]

Do you have a combi boiler or a cold water cistern in attic and a hot water cylinder? Unless you're taking a radiator off then there shouldn't be any impact to your CH.

 

[windymill]

Its separate hot and cold water tanks. We will need to take a towel radiator off to paint behind but that has valves on. thanks

 

[Newboy]

There should be isolators to enable you to shut off the hot and cold supplies - have a look in the area around your hot water cylinder or on the pipework around the cold water cistern. If you can isolate then you can fit local valves on the basin, bath and WC supply pipework within the bathroom.

 

[windymill]

Thank you. We cant see any. It is an old house. We changed no problem in our last house. May need plumber out then?

 

[windymill]

There are two tanks in loft, found there are valves on both, but would one be for CH? Hot water tank is in airing cupboard. The toilet has a valve too but not the sinks or bath. Thanks.

 

[Newboy]

The larger (loft) cistern will be cold supply to both bathroom and hot water cylinder. Post a picture of the pipework leaving the cistern and also one of the pipework in the airing cupboard.

 

[windymill]

ok will do, back shortly. ta