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How would you recommend sorting the radiator?
VoucherMan
Posts: 2,799 Forumite
Having so work done in the bathroom soon that includes changing a radiator, so I thought I'd check the rest of the system in case anything else wants doing while it's drained.
The kitchen radiator which I took outside & ran a hose through a couple of years ago seem to have a small build up of sludge again. I did briefly run the system with X400 after cleaning it, then added inhibitor after re-flushing, but obviously didn't do a very good job.
Despite the cold spot it still warms the kitchen quickly so my first thought was to just leave it as it is. All the other radiators seem fine. The boiler is in the attic so I'm assuming a build up of sludge in kitchen won't effect it. (??)
I then decided that wherever this sludge has come from it's going to keep on coming if not dealt with & sooner or later the radiator will become ineffective.
So not wanting to fork out for a professional power flush it's either replace it, or try to clean it. The current radiator is a 700x1400mm double which seems excessive. Various BTU calculators suggest anything from 3000 to 7000 so I reckon a 500x1400mm double radiator should be more than adequate. And easier to refit as the pipes would be it the right place.
After re-fitting I'd run some X400 for a month before flushing & refilling to make sure the rest of the system's clean.
As for the cleaning option I don't want to keep disconnecting it to hose it out. But would Sludge remover on it's own be effective for shifting a large deposit if left in the system for a few weeks? Obviously it would be the cheaper option but I've no idea how thorough it would be.
The kitchen radiator which I took outside & ran a hose through a couple of years ago seem to have a small build up of sludge again. I did briefly run the system with X400 after cleaning it, then added inhibitor after re-flushing, but obviously didn't do a very good job.
Despite the cold spot it still warms the kitchen quickly so my first thought was to just leave it as it is. All the other radiators seem fine. The boiler is in the attic so I'm assuming a build up of sludge in kitchen won't effect it. (??)
I then decided that wherever this sludge has come from it's going to keep on coming if not dealt with & sooner or later the radiator will become ineffective.
So not wanting to fork out for a professional power flush it's either replace it, or try to clean it. The current radiator is a 700x1400mm double which seems excessive. Various BTU calculators suggest anything from 3000 to 7000 so I reckon a 500x1400mm double radiator should be more than adequate. And easier to refit as the pipes would be it the right place.
After re-fitting I'd run some X400 for a month before flushing & refilling to make sure the rest of the system's clean.
As for the cleaning option I don't want to keep disconnecting it to hose it out. But would Sludge remover on it's own be effective for shifting a large deposit if left in the system for a few weeks? Obviously it would be the cheaper option but I've no idea how thorough it would be.
0
Comments
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Hi.
If you are competent then DIY.
Read all the guides thoroughly.
I would flush before you change any rads, no point making a new one dirty.
GSRAsk to see CIPHE (Chartered Institute of Plumbing & Heating Engineering)0 -
Got the bathroom fitter booked for early April so I've decided to run some X400 through the system until then. Should hopefully help loosen up the muck.
Do I need to drain the system first to remove the inhibitor that's in it, or will the sludge remover work with it still in?0
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