Lifespan of Inhibitor in Radiators

[Lucky Luke]

Hi experts. Can someone qualified tell me how long inhibitor will be good for, after a sufficient amount has been put into a central heating system? My question is based on an assumption that no water will be drained from the system, and that the system will not be topped up with fresh water, afterwards. I know that probably, the above would be an ideal state of things that is not usually found in real life, but I need to have a basic principle to hold in mind. In that ideal situation, would it be good for one year, three, five, ten years, or what?
With thanks in advance, to anyone that can/will tell me.
A.W.

 

[durhamplumber]

No one is "qualified"to give you an accurate answer,even if they tell you they are.You will keep topping up the system and diluting it.Water quality varies throughout the country.What quality are your rads.How clean was the system to start with..etc etc.So many variables and it aint an exact science..How do you know if its still working,judge by how much crud is round filter?? etc

 

[durhamplumber]

"alwaysworried" quite apt...worry about something worth it if you must worry

 

[ReganAndCarter]

Unless you are a scientist who works for someone like Fernox and can test under ideal conditions, anything else is a guess. My own guesswork is that the Prestone antifreeze/coolant I put in my car's radiator is supposed to last for 5 years. I realise I'm hardly comparing like with like, but if a ch system is neither drained or topped up, 5 years would be an uneducated estimate/guess. So, I think bunging in a bottle of inhibitor every 5 years would be a reasonable plan. Small price to pay for prolonging the useful life of your boiler and system.

 

[Hot&Cold]

Can someone qualified tell me how long inhibitor will be good for,

The inhibitor concentration can be easily tested,contact the inhibitor manufacture.they for a fee can return a very detailed report.

More of a heating issue than a plumbers

 

[durhamplumber]

The inhibitor concentration can be easily tested,contact the inhibitor manufacture.they for a fee can return a very detailed report.

they will never be able to tell you how long your rads will last...

 

[polesapart]

As above, nobody knows.

FWIW I'd be more inclined to top up inhibitor on an open system than a sealed one.