Number of cold radiators

[Deryck Tintagel]

Possibly yes, if done correctly, but there would be no guarantees.

That is my worry - spending mor emoney on something and getting the same result.

Depends on how easy access is and length of pipework etc, you'd be mostly guessing where the problem is. Are the problem ones far from the main/good pipework? Can you DIY some re-piping?

I had my usual plumbers in a few years back for the same issue. They had boards (actually chipboard sheets) up in one bedroom and I think that there's a manifold in that area that would supply the bathroom the loo and the hall. I should say that the runs to the boiler are 22 / 15mm plastic and the rads are on 10mm microbore plastic. I would have to have a look to see how the system is plumbed as the dining room radiator proabbly comes off this manifold and is OK. I should have taken a photo when they were last under the floor!

I suspect a problem in this area of a manifold or on the runs to the rads. I don't think the wife would tolerate more upheaval just yet, so I may wait until the warmer months to have a play with actual piping. I could probably have a go at re-piping some myself - I am fairly handy at most things!

 

[denso13]

I could probably have a go at re-piping some myself - I am fairly handy at most things!

Sounds like a plan. Plastic is fine but while you are at it change them to 15mm, then you know it will work (famous last words)...

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

Sounds like a plan. Plastic is fine but while you are at it change them to 15mm, then you know it will work (famous last words)...

If I can get to a manifold I might have a go at just flushing those affect pipes with mains water to see if I can clear them. Worth a try before pulling the hosue apart

 

[denso13]

If I can get to a manifold I might have a go at just flushing those affect pipes with mains water to see if I can clear them. Worth a try before pulling the hosue apart

Won't do any harm to try.

 

[ChrisJP]

Sounds like a plan. Plastic is fine but while you are at it change them to 15mm, then you know it will work (famous last words)...

Yes, microbore piping seems to create problems quite often - it's more prone to block if there is any debris in the system. Best to change as much as you can to 15mm piping.
Also, if you do get to look at the manifold, take it off and flush it through. It's quite possible that the outlets supplying the cold radiators are partially blocked

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

Yes, microbore piping seems to create problems quite often - it's more prone to block if there is any debris in the system. Best to change as much as you can to 15mm piping.
Also, if you do get to look at the manifold, take it off and flush it through. It's quite possible that the outlets supplying the cold radiators are partially blocked

I think the heating guy said I had lazy returns so a blockage on those sounds probable.

I am not really familiar with the Speedfit plumbing. Can these be disassembled and re-used?

 

[denso13]

Can these be disassembled and re-used?

Yes for speedfit, but with inserts in 10mm pipe the resultant diameter is really much less.

 

[gas112]

You paid someone to do a job so why not phone them back up and say it appears not to be successful and needs a revisit . It may well be your plastic piping is the non barrier type with your repeated blockages

 

[Johntheo5]

I have a conventional boiler / HW tank system. All piping is plastic and I think that there may be a manifold under the en-suite floor just above the boiler.

What make/model/age, of Boiler?.
is there a ABV installed in the system?

I see from another thread that the boiler is 25 years old, has the pump ever been changed or at least had its head removed to check for impeller or port fouling?, is it internal or external to the boiler?

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

You paid someone to do a job so why not phone them back up and say it appears not to be successful and needs a revisit . It may well be your plastic piping is the non barrier type with your repeated blockages

I think we have barrier pipe - I have seen a section of it and there is a darker ring . I am thinking large particles are in the system. I saw some when talking to the guy. There was some stuck to the filter that he showed me and he did say that with the lockshields only partially open to balance the system then these coud quite easily block

Not sure if that getting them back will run with these plumbers! I think in the message I had from him at quotation was along the lines of "other issues may arise that would need further work". I suspect that he will hide behind this and want more money to do work. I suppose he did what was paid to do and that is to flush the system. Might be worth a try, nothing to lose, but I am not holding my breath

What make/model/age, of Boiler?.
is there a ABV installed in the system?

I see from another thread that the boiler is 25 years old, has the pump ever been changed or at least had its head removed to check for impeller or port fouling?, is it internal or external to the boiler?

The boiler is indeed 25 years old, but is working OK. It is a Glow Worm Ultimate 40 or 50FF (not 100% sure). I am not sure about the ABV - there's something near the HW tank. The pump was changed 5 years ago along with the zone valve and is in the airing cupboard with the tank and new filter (no space near the boiler to fit one)

One of the guys doing the flush suggested that the boiler is better in some respects when compared to modern. Nonetheless, there is a problem with the pipework so that would need sorting first.

One thing I will try again is to close the known good radiators and open the cold / warm ones again to see if I push debris around to the filter. It may just work for the interim

 

[Johntheo5]

I think we have barrier pipe - I have seen a section of it and there is a darker ring . I am thinking large particles are in the system. I saw some when talking to the guy. There was some stuck to the filter that he showed me and he did say that with the lockshields only partially open to balance the system then these coud quite easily block

Not sure if that getting them back will run with these plumbers! I think in the message I had from him at quotation was along the lines of "other issues may arise that would need further work". I suspect that he will hide behind this and want more money to do work. I suppose he did what was paid to do and that is to flush the system. Might be worth a try, nothing to lose, but I am not holding my breath




The boiler is indeed 25 years old, but is working OK. It is a Glow Worm Ultimate 40 or 50FF (not 100% sure). I am not sure about the ABV - there's something near the HW tank. The pump was changed 5 years ago along with the zone valve and is in the airing cupboard with the tank and new filter (no space near the boiler to fit one)

One of the guys doing the flush suggested that the boiler is better in some respects when compared to modern. Nonetheless, there is a problem with the pipework so that would need sorting first.

One thing I will try again is to close the known good radiators and open the cold / warm ones again to see if I push debris around to the filter. It may just work for the interim

Worth checking out that (if) ABV, these will bypass a lot of water if debris trapped under the seat ofrif incorrectly set, check the setting. When the boiler is running normally the pipe downstream of the ABV should be cold.

 

[denso13]

When the boiler is running normally the pipe downstream of the ABV should be cold.

Does it have one? The boiler doesn't and I doubt one would be fitted 25 years ago. I suppose it's possible though.

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

Worth checking out that (if) ABV, these will bypass a lot of water if debris trapped under the seat ofrif incorrectly set, check the setting. When the boiler is running normally the pipe downstream of the ABV should be cold.

Would this be close to the HW tank? I have a feeling that there is something there but it may be just a manual valve to balance the system.

 

[denso13]

Would this be close to the HW tank? I have a feeling that there is something there but it may be just a manual valve to balance the system.

Normal back then, if there was one at all

 

[Deryck Tintagel]

Just a question that has come into my head.

Having had the Magnacleanse on the heating system, does it need to be flushed through with clean water before refilling and adding inhibitor