Flush gravity fed F&E central heating system

[daveok77]

Forgive me is this is a stupid thought!

I'm looking to flush dirty water out of an F&E system. Can I attached a hosepipe to the lowest drain off point and simply drain off water outside without turning off the water supply to the F&E tank? So my thinking is that it may take some time but eventually the clean water will replace the dirty water?

Thanks

 

[steadyon]

1. Yes you can, but you will be flushing all the muck in the F&E tank through your heating system.
2. I'd clean the F&E tank out first.
3. Don't forget to add inhibitor when you have finished. If you add it through the F&E, make sure the tank is empty and then drain a further gallon or two out of the system. Otherwise, the inhibitor tens to stay in the F&E, which has not circulation.
4. You'd do better to run the system through with something like Sentinel X400 or X800 to loosen the muck, then flush it. Be careful you follow the instructions. Same advice to clean F&E first applies.

 

[daveok77]

Thanks Steadyon,

I should've mentioned that I already cleaned out the tank beforehand. I did actually drain about a litre of water through one of the drain valves on a downstairs rad and was surprised by how clear the water was. I don't know why but after 13 years of the system not being flushed I was expecting it to be dirty. Not really convinced I need to do it at all now.