Central Heating Problems ... Please need some advice

[bubbuck]

Hi,

2 of our downstairs rads have not worked properly for a while, they are stone cold while the heatng is on. If you turn off all other rads in the house these 2 heat up but still not as hot as they should be

Called British Gas who sent an engineer who checked everything and suggested a power flush

Had this done last weekend with no effect.

The plumber who did the flush said that it could be a big blockage under the floor that the power flush cant get. He suggested running new pipes to the rads and capping off the old.

He then called Potterton who suggested it culd be that the pump isnt working and an additional pump needed on the boiler return pipe.

Just spoke to Plumber who says he's spoke to a few people and they all think it's more likely to be a blockage and the new pipes would be th best solution.

Just a bit worried as already spent 400 £ on the flush and now going to b another 300 £ for pipes.

What are your views on this? Is a Potterton 28k combi boiler. One pipe to the rads get boiling but other pipe cold.

Thanks

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

If pump is not working, then replace it. That's cheaper than running new pipework. Maybe call different engineer to get different point of view. BG already sold you powerflush with no result.

 

[bubbuck]

Hi,

Thanks, the Pump is working but Potterton suggested adding another pump to help with the flow of the water.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

Is it ever been like that or just started recently? If it was working correctly in the past then it would be something else, if not then we can assume that additional pump is needed.

 

[bubbuck]

I know last year one radiator wasnt great and the other one was luke warm but now both stone cold! thanks

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

One pipe to the rads get boiling but other pipe cold

this happening on those 2 downstairs? do pipes get hot when you shut other rads and leave just those 2 open?

 

[bubbuck]

Tell a lie just checked them and they are both on luke warm, if you turn off all the other rads they get hotter.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

well, i think it would be best to call somebody to have a look. you could try to cut into system, use plastic pipe as temporary feed and return for the rad and will see if that would help, so you know that there is problem with pipework, but it could be something else which needs investigate. how many rads in total in your house?

 

[bubbuck]

Thanks, There are 16 radiators in total

 

[PlumbBobBob]

it sounds like your system could do with a bit of balancing to me

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

yes, it could. that's cheapest option for you bubbuck. it may take a while but balancing could work.

 

[SimonG]

Did the engineer drop one of the cold rads off and check if or qty of water out of the flow and return valves before he sold you the powerflush?

As Steveb says, try a balance, if that doesn't help it maybe that the pump isn't as effective as it used to be. Is it a 5m (15/50) or 6m (15/60) pump? You can get an 8m one if required.

 

[Dotty]

Someone posted a link for balancing your rads a while back, this is the info you need.

How To Balance Radiators
Tool List:

Radiator-bleeding key
Lockshield valve adjuster or adjustable spanner
Screwdriver
Digital thermometer or multimeter with thermometer function



1. Make sure all the radiators have been bled. Turn off the central heating and allow the radiators to cool.

2. Familiarise yourself with the valves. The lockshield will usually have a push-on cap or one that is secured with a screw through the top. Remove it.

3. Older models will have a wheelhead valve on the other side — used to turn the radiator on/off.

4. Newer radiators will have a thermostatic valve instead of a wheelhead valve.

5. Open up the valves on all the radiators in the house by turning them anti-clockwise.Wheelhead and thermostatic valves can be turned easily by hand, but the lockshield will need a plastic adjuster to open it up. These come with new lockshield valves. A spanner will also do the job.

6. Turn the central heating back on and note down the order the radiators heat up. Those nearest the boiler normally get hot first. If you’ve got a lot of radiators, get assistance. Turn the heating off and wait while the radiators cool down.

7. When the radiators are cool, switch the heating back on and go to the first radiator on your list. Turn the lockshield valve clockwise until it is closed and then open it by a quarter of a turn. Once the radiator has warmed up, take a temperature reading at the pipework leading to one of the valves.

8. Now take a temperature reading at the pipework leading to the other valve and open the lockshield valve gradually until there’s a 12°C difference between now and the reading you took in step 7 (allow a couple of minutes after each adjustment for the temperature to change). The temperature figures indicated in the last step and this one are relevant to the radiator shown – don’t take them as any kind of optimum figure – it’s the 12°C difference in temperature at the valves that counts. Next, check the rest of the radiators in the system following the order in the list. The further you move away from the boiler, you’ll find the lockshield valve will have to be opened more. The last radiator may need to have the lockshield valve fully open to work at full efficiency. Your radiators are now balanced and should work perfectly.

Getting A Temperature

A key part of this job is measuring the temperature difference across each radiator. Specially designed thermometers that strap round the pipes at either end of the radiator are available to buy or hire, but it’s not really necessary to use these. You can get away with a single digital thermometer — it just means that you can’t take simultaneous readings and you’ll have to move from one end of the radiator to the other.

Digital thermometers are available from around £10. Alternatively, some digital multimeters have a temperature sensor function. A digital multimeter with temperature function costs from £25 and can also be used for taking electrical readings and checking continuity in wires, among dozens of other functions.

 

[jase158]

dont like slating other peoples work but how long did power flush take? did he put flow through every radiator?
if there is heat to every radiator then there cant be a blockage. if done properly then the pipes should be clear, only time that the pipes need replacing is if you get absolutely no heat to radiators.
He should of also balanced system for you.
Get him back to balance system and to leave chemicals in system for several weeks if he did powerflush properly.

 

[JCplumb]

How very surprising that BG sold you a powerflush as a first response to your central heating issue. Not like them at all that...

 

[TBServices]

How very surprising that BG sold you a powerflush as a first response to your central heating issue. Not like them at all that...

Hahaha. I'm positively aghast!