Refilling heating system

[MugabesDeadCat]

In the past few days we've had two pipes which were connected to the heating system but sticking through the kitchen ceiling capped off and a radiator taken off the wall then refitted for the plasterer. Just wondering if we have to manually refill the system to replace lost water or if it does it itself?? It's an old Potterton back boiler system we have.

 

[kevplumb]

should do it it's self best check the tank tho

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

should do it it's self best check the tank tho

Errrmmmm........what tank? Only tank am aware of is the hot water tank in the loft.

 

[kevplumb]

if you only have one and a primatic cylinder

nothing to worry about

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

if you only have one and a primatic cylinder

nothing to worry about

Sorry Kev, but what is a primatic cylinder?? All I'm aware of is the back boiler sends hot water for the taps to the hot water tank in the loft.

 

[kevplumb]

View media item 15390
ignore the valves

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

There's no cylinder anywhere in the house. Is that possible?? Or am I just an idiot?

 

[kevplumb]

where does the hot water come from

View media item 15389

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

where does the hot water come from

View media item 15389

Something along the lines of that IIRC.....only not as big. I guess the cylinder's inside of that?

 

[kevplumb]

yes if your getting hot water

your ok

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

Thanks Kev. So the heating system is alright with regards to not needing manually topping up?

 

[kevplumb]

yup

 

[bhm1712]

the radiator will require bleeding in order to fill

 

[MugabesDeadCat]

the radiator will require bleeding in order to fill

Thanks bhm, just done that and it's heating up.

One thing though. In a cupboard in the son's room is the stopcock for the hot water coming from the loft. Beside that pipe is another with a smaller stopcock on it. Which I assume sends cold water to the tank in the loft. The one that turns the hot water off though is dripping water from around the spindle on it. It feels like the washer or whatever is inside of it is broken when you turn it. So, would I be able to turn the cold feed off, drain the tank in the loft then undo the nut at the base of the spindle on the hot stop cock and replace what I'm assuming is a washer of some sorts inside the stopcock? Or will I need a plumber to replace the entire stopcock as it's soldered into the pipe. Or can I just replace the innards of it?

 

[kevplumb]

tighten the nut thats round the spindle (gland) View media item 11248