draining top radiators

[buffy]

hi,just about to fit a new towel radiator in the bathroom and need to cut the copper pipes. Is the best way to just drain down the upstair radiators and if so how do l do this.And also how would l then bleed the system once the job is done and do l add any special fluilds.Last year B Gas drained the system and they said it isnt clear water,changed the pump and said they wouldnt do it again,so does this make the job any harder to do,many thanks for any advice and help.

 

[Marcol]

First of all Why did BG drainn the system and why did they change the pump ? was there something wrong with it? Having "dirty water" in your heating is quite normal. When draining a rad most people will have some dark gray to black water come out unless the system has recently been power flushed! Now to the rad change your about to do. Do you really need to cut pipes to fit the new towel radiator? A bit more of a description as to what and where the rad is going will help.🙂

 

[buffy]

hi,B Gas said it was full of slush which had made the pump stop.The problem with the radiators are,they line up ok,but the new one has the holes in the bottom of it where the old rad had them in the side,hope this makes sense,thanks

 

[Marcol]

hi,B Gas said it was full of slush which had made the pump stop.The problem with the radiators are,they line up ok,but the new one has the holes in the bottom of it where the old rad had them in the side,hope this makes sense,thanks

Won't go into the Bg bit we could be here a long time 😡
As to the rad change If you have a standard vented system and not sealed then the simplest way is to get a regin rad change kit which basically contains a couple of stoppers to go into the F&E tank which allows you to create a vacume. It even comes with basic instruction on how to change a rad valve. rather than describe it here (plenty of step by steps on the web) you can use this technique to remove the old rad and add the extra pipe work you need. If you have a seald system etc then you will have to drain down to below the rad you want to change only. then allow to refill bleeding all the rads in turn. Hope this helps.

 

[buffy]

hi,lam not sure what system l have,but either way all l have to do is just drain the up stairs rads,once done then turn water back on and bleed the system.Do l have to add any thing to the water when l turn the supply back on,many thanks for your help.

 

[Marcol]

hi,lam not sure what system l have,but either way all l have to do is just drain the up stairs rads,once done then turn water back on and bleed the system.Do l have to add any thing to the water when l turn the supply back on,many thanks for your help.

I'd say it's worth adding a half ltr of inhibitor as a top up.

 

[buffy]

hi,does it mater what make or is it ok to mix it with whats already in the system as lam draining down only half,thanks

 

[mrlennie]

It would be good if you found out what system you had before you started and read a little about it.

 

[buffy]

thanks for all your help

 

[Marcol]

As mrlennie says. Check up on what system you have before you get going as it makes a difference as to how you handle the drain off.

 

[stevetheplumber]

what ever system you have draining is much the same if you just turn the mains of first its the method of filling back up thats different vented systems fill automaticly and sealed systems and combis will need to be filled via a filling loop
put the hose on the drain off point and lift it higher than the ground floor rads will allow you to drain just the upper floor
id refill and run for 10 mins to check for leaks then drain again before adding inhibitor
with a vertical towel rail its often best to tip inhibitor directly into system by removing vent plug fromtop of towel rail and pouring it innothing worse than draing out 15 quids worth of inhibitor cos some thing leaks

 

[buffy]

hi,how can l find out what system l have,l have a non combi boiler(gas) and electric hot water tank in the airing cuboard.There is a small water tank in the loft for the heating system and a massive water one also.The house was built about 1997,does this help?,thanks

 

[dontknowitall]

That would be an open vented system.

Turn off water supply to small cistern (F&E). Drain. When ready to fill system again, turn on water. (And check other posts above for the other things you're meant to do!)