System Drain or No System Drain ?

[nsj9]

Hello
I am replacing 2 radiators (in a lounge) for 2 radiators of different sizes and in different locations, so I will have a bit of plumbing to care of. I have a condensing boiler and gravity fed system (so HW tank in airing cupboard).

Q1 - I have one of these "drain down" avoidance kits (essentially 2 plug stoppers) and I wanted to know if these are likely to give me enough time to complete the pipework and get the new radiators connected, or should I bite the bullet and drain the CH system ?

Q2 - I will obviously have the CH turned off when I am doing the work (with or without draining the system), but am I right I don't need to turn off the HW too ? (I believe there is a coil within the HW tank that heats the HW in the tank and the boiler/pump can still function to heat the water).

Thanks for any help/advice.

 

[nicam49]

I think you're trying to wing it. Those plugs are really only useful if you want to, say, fit a tvr in place of a normal rad valve. You'll have the weight of all the water in the upstairs rads pushing down on the system.... I'd turn off all upstairs rads - both sides but note how many turns of the lockshields so you can restore to the correct setting. Also don't risk having the h/w on - just turn the lot off and have peace if mind.

 

[nsj9]

I think you're trying to wing it. Those plugs are really only useful if you want to, say, fit a tvr in place of a normal rad valve. You'll have the weight of all the water in the upstairs rads pushing down on the system.... I'd turn off all upstairs rads - both sides but note how many turns of the lockshields so you can restore to the correct setting. Also don't risk having the h/w on - just turn the lot off and have peace if mind.

Thank you for your reply which makes sense. I am thinking I will have to drain the system but to reduce the effort, I may close all the rads first (both sides) just t limit the amount I have to drain. Yes, I will turn off the HW.

 

[Lou]

Hello - How have you got on with your job?

 

[nsj9]

Hello - How have you got on with your job?

Thanks, I managed to do the job. A bit stressful as there was one very tight corner with the f/r pipes emerging from the wall so I had very little room to get the pipes to line up with the rad (see photo) ...... had to have 2 elbows very close to an existing soldered elbow and close to each other on the end of a short piece coming out from wall. Fortunately, the solder did its job. 😉