I am presently tidying up FAQs and will be putting all CH topics in the new CH sticky.
Any constructive comments /ideas or help will be appreciated.
Any constructive comments /ideas or help will be appreciated.
I'm not sure I have enough in-depth knowledge to compile it, but how about an FAQ on the various heating chemicals - inhibitor, cleaning, desludging, descaling etc.?
I'm not sure I have enough in-depth knowledge to compile it, but how about an FAQ on the various heating chemicals - inhibitor, cleaning, desludging, descaling etc.?
mogget said:Chemicals in central heating - a brief householder's guide
Corrosion Inhibitor: Common Brands - Sentinel X100, Fernox F1 & MB-1
Heating systems contain different metals - steel in the radiators, pipes made from copper etc. In the presence of water and oxygen an electrical current flows and this results in corrosion of the 'weaker' metal. Typically the steel radiators are eaten away leading to pinhole leaks and iron oxide 'sludge' which can cause all sorts of problems. For this reason it is important that any central heating system has inhibitor added to the water. This slows the corrosion process and prolongs the life of the system. It is NOT worth skimping on - even one week without inhibitor can be enough to cause problems.
Sludge Remover / Cleaner: Common Brands - Sentinel X400, Fernox F3
Sludge can collect in radiators, heat exchangers etc and cause inadequate water flow or heat transfer. When a system has fallen into disrepair, sludge remover can be used. This dissolves the sludge into the water which can then be drained out. These chemicals are quite gentle and take some time to work. X400 in particular requires up to a month to be effective.
Flushing new or newly modified systems: Common Brands - Sentinel X300, Fernox F3
When copper pipework is installed or altered, flux and other residues can enter the system. These must not be allowed to remain as they may cause corrosion problems later on. Flushing the system using the appropriate cleaner will dissolve these residues into the water. The system must then be fully drained before refilling with water and corrosion inhibitor.
Aggressive Cleaning: Common Brands - Fernox DS-40
If there are severe scale or sludge deposits, an aggressive cleaner may be used. It is important to follow the manufacturer's instructions. It should be borne in mind that agressive cleaning can unmask the poor state of some systems. Radiators and heat exchangers leaking, boilers failing, and pumps seizing are not unheard of.
Mechanical power flushing is something altogether different and beyond the scope of this basic guide.
so please reinstate a numbering system.
Please add on your own posting about flueless fires a strong statement that all existing flueless fires MUST have an audible tone CO alarm installed in the same room to help to protect the occupants.
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