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Update - Magnaclean fitting, but leaking? Advice from experts required please!

angelavdavis
angelavdavis Posts: 4,714 Forumite
Mortgage-free Glee!
Hi,

I am intending to fit a magnaclean as I have recently replaced a number of the old radiators which were rotten. Although I have flushed the system, I am keen to fit a magnaclean to prevent further issues building up while the system is drained down currently.

Usually, when fitting or extending pipework, I initially use compression couplers as the pipework is generally wet and then use soldered joints on the dry, new pipework in between. However, the magnaclean comes with two elbow joints which require soldering.

I could add two compression couplers either side of these new soldered elbows, but am limited for space in which to fit these comp couplers so would prefer to be able to solder straight onto the existing (wet) pipes.

My question is - what is the easiest way of drying out the existing pipes so the solder will take OK?

Thanks very much
:D Thanks to MSE, I am mortgage free!:D

Comments

  • andrew-b
    andrew-b Posts: 2,413 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    Heat gun/blow torch (with caution!)? Not sure how dry it has to be but you could also consider a product called Just For Copper (B&Q sell it amongst others) as an alternative to soldering (expensive stuff though).
    But looking at the install instructions here is there any reason you have to use the soldered elbows supplied and couldn't ditch them to use compression fitting elbows or push-fits instead?
  • Hi Andrew-b, thanks for responding. The elbows aren't standard size - they are designed for use with the magnaclean (well one appears standard, the other is a lot longer).

    I might look further at whether I can use the compression joints instead.

    Thanks
    :D Thanks to MSE, I am mortgage free!:D
  • ormus
    ormus Posts: 42,714 Forumite
    can you post a piccy of where you are actually placing the device?
    Get some gorm.
  • Canucklehead
    Canucklehead Posts: 6,254 Forumite
    Good afternoon: have you bought the Magnaclean? If not, consider the 'Boiler Buddy', an easier install or, better yet, a Spirotech Magnabooster.

    HTH

    Canucklehead
    Ask to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)
  • EliteHeat
    EliteHeat Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Borrow a wet and dry vacuum and suck out any water. It could not be simpler.
  • angelavdavis
    angelavdavis Posts: 4,714 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Hi, we fitted Magnaclean yesterday, all rads checked for leaks today and have started pressuring up the boiler, but the Magnaclean itself is leaking.

    OH fitted the rubber washers into the flange nuts before tightening, but the body of the valve seems to be loose from the flange nuts and there doesn't appear to be an obvious way of tightening these. Is this right as this is where we are getting a leak?

    Picture below indicates where it is leaking.

    Anyone with Magnaclean know-how out there who can point us in the right direction? Thanks

    magnaclean.jpg
    :D Thanks to MSE, I am mortgage free!:D
  • ormus
    ormus Posts: 42,714 Forumite
    did you put PTFE tape or plumbers mait on it first?


    p1034197_l.jpg
    Get some gorm.
  • EliteHeat
    EliteHeat Posts: 1,382 Forumite
    Plumbers mait is (if you really insist on using it) for sanitary wear.
  • Did you fit the washers????
  • angelavdavis
    angelavdavis Posts: 4,714 Forumite
    Mortgage-free Glee!
    Thanks for this guys. We had another go at really tightening - was worried about overtightening as the installation guide specifically mentions this, but the leaking has stopped and the looseness in these joints has tightened thankfully.

    Just got to tweak the leaks in a couple of the rads now!

    Thanks for your help everyone. Much appreciated.
    :D Thanks to MSE, I am mortgage free!:D
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