Old copper no good ?

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russblade

Hello I have just joined the forum and completed my LVL 2 and needless to say there is still a hell of a lot to learn.😱
I am in the process of buying a house which has been stood empty for 8 years, the property has been looked after and is in very good condition- considering the time empty. All plumbing had been drained 8 years ago, I am wondering what will need to be done ? do I get the system flushed ?🙄 do I need to change the boiler although it does look in good condition. Will I need to change the complete heating system🙁 or just the rads, I really don't know where to start, I would appreciate all you experienced guys' input, 🙄cheers, Russ
 
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Copper should be OK provided the system was not too heavily sludged, however if residual water was in the radiators they will have likely badly corroded so I would replace. Obviously flushing is requried, and so is pressure testing. Again the boiler will depend on the condition of the wet side - it may have rusted up if left with water and air in it, but you would need to ask an expert.

There's no harm in flushing and pressure testing the existing set up to see if it will restart, just br careful.
 
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Hi, My advise to charge up the cold side, (monitor results) same with hot. Fill heating system up vent it and if no leaks present fire it up. Check performance, fingers crossed it may well be fine. Then flushing etc can be carried out. Good Luck
 
as just lead said id fill it up and see what needs doing just dont go laying any laminates or doing lots of work till its all been up and running a couple of weeks
pump will probably be stuck so worth freeing that or replacing before you fill and i wouldnt waste any addatives till it up and running
 
Yes, take off pump head and make sure it will turn before switching anything on!
 
You do not say if combi system or system with cylinder
When you fill,make sure you do in morning if possible,so you have all day to check and keep eye on system,do not fill,shut doors and come back the next morning
As said check pump free,check all round to make sure nothing obviously wrong,like rad taken off ect,make sure no leak marks under rads,fill up slowly and keep checking all round,if combi or low water content boiler would recommend maybe strainer or magnetic filter fitted,at least fill up and empty,flushing out then refill again,before you start to operate boiler, as if been dry that long,maybe lots of iron flakes in rads also will give you an idea of condition of inner system.
Rads should not require replacing at this point and copper pipe work should be ok,get system full and working and go from there,if cylinder system,you may have to replace motorized valves as inner rubber parts maybe damaged,turn any boiler thermostats down to start with and build temp up
On general plumbing ,replace all ball valve washers in w/c's and any tanks
and tap washers may require replacing
Get some chemical waste cleaner to put down waste pipe work to give flush through
 
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thanks to all who have given advice, would I be right in sayin I should strip the system dow, rads, motors ,taps, flush and renew washers then fill up gradually checking as i go. Aflush through is this just filling it up and running it down again or has it to be done under pressure ? look forward to any feed back Russ
 
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