Hello all,
Quite recently, I re-routed the pipes linking the central heating system between the ground floor and the first floor to make it invisible. I installed isolator valves so I can isolate 1/4 of the central heating system so I won't lose too much of the corrosion inhibitor, also make it easy to install radiators in the future. I'm weird, but I'm like that.
I, unfortunately, forgot to replace both valves for one radiator which wasn't installed when I did the work, or install isolating valves for the lower half of the central heating system. I conveniently remembered this after adding an corrosion inhibitor into the system.
The valves for the radiator leaks at the tap when I open them up, but doesn't when closed. I've already got a few brand new ones spare, so I want to replace them with the new ones. As I far as I can see, my options are:
1) Close off half of the system, drain, replace valves and refill with water.
2) Buy pipe freezing spray
3) Call a plumber
The cons for the points above are:
1) Will lose some of the X100 corrosion inhibitor - was a right pain to add into the system and was expensive.
2) I've never used pipe freezers before and I'm a bit nervous about using this.
3) Potentially expensive, and might have to wait a long time.
The system is a fairly small closed loop system, consisting of a Worcester Greenstar 25HE combi boiler and 8 radiators without any hot water tank, filler tank or anything, for a 3 bedroom house. I have added a litre of X100. If I drain half of the system and do my work, then re-fill with water, would the concentration of the inhibitor still be high enough for protection and future draining? Or should I consider the other 2 options to keep as much of the inhibitor in the system as possible? Or am I worrying about the inhibitor too much?
Any better ideas?
Thanks very much for your time in advance!
Regards - Piers
Quite recently, I re-routed the pipes linking the central heating system between the ground floor and the first floor to make it invisible. I installed isolator valves so I can isolate 1/4 of the central heating system so I won't lose too much of the corrosion inhibitor, also make it easy to install radiators in the future. I'm weird, but I'm like that.
I, unfortunately, forgot to replace both valves for one radiator which wasn't installed when I did the work, or install isolating valves for the lower half of the central heating system. I conveniently remembered this after adding an corrosion inhibitor into the system.
The valves for the radiator leaks at the tap when I open them up, but doesn't when closed. I've already got a few brand new ones spare, so I want to replace them with the new ones. As I far as I can see, my options are:
1) Close off half of the system, drain, replace valves and refill with water.
2) Buy pipe freezing spray
3) Call a plumber
The cons for the points above are:
1) Will lose some of the X100 corrosion inhibitor - was a right pain to add into the system and was expensive.
2) I've never used pipe freezers before and I'm a bit nervous about using this.
3) Potentially expensive, and might have to wait a long time.
The system is a fairly small closed loop system, consisting of a Worcester Greenstar 25HE combi boiler and 8 radiators without any hot water tank, filler tank or anything, for a 3 bedroom house. I have added a litre of X100. If I drain half of the system and do my work, then re-fill with water, would the concentration of the inhibitor still be high enough for protection and future draining? Or should I consider the other 2 options to keep as much of the inhibitor in the system as possible? Or am I worrying about the inhibitor too much?
Any better ideas?
Thanks very much for your time in advance!
Regards - Piers