Are new radiators needed when changing to a combi/system boiler?

Hudpod25

I have an old Ideal Wlx boiler regular boiler that is over twenty years old. I am looking to replace it with either a combi or system boiler which are both pressurised.

I have had a number of quotes but could do with advice on whether my existing radiators mostly 30+ years old will cope with a pressurised system.

I have been advised to have a powerflush as the radiators have had minimal maintenance over the years but have been told both that there is little likelihood of the radiators failing or a very strong possibility. What do people think?

Thanks

Stuart

ariba10

I have three radiators in my system that were put in, in 1969.

We are on our fourth boiler.

ariba10

Started with a coal fired Rhapsody and now on a Combi Condensing.

Mr_Ted

To be sure a good installer should pressure test the system to twice the new maximum operating pressure after power flushing, but it unlikely they would do that!
Usually its left to see if it leaks after and causes damage and THEN has to be repaired!
But yes you can keep the old rads, if theyre sound and the pipework is to!

gas4you

Power flushing is most likely to cause a pin hole leak, as the old crud is cleaned away, not the system pressure.

Saying that, it is very very rare for this to happen.

Canucklehead

Hi.

I usually suggest to customers that the rads ,at that age, will look very dated and the finish yellowed. If you intend to decorate after the works then the rads will look even worse.

Their soundness will depend on the state of the water that has been circulating around them. ie: unknown.

GSR.

A.Penny.Saved

The old rads probably won't have convectors so not as efficient at heating the room as newer radiators so you will probably be better off replacing them. If old pipework can be used, it might keep down the cost of materials.

If not, then make sure that you make the heating engineers allow for the old pipework because it could be fairly valuable.

southcoastrgi

A.Penny.Saved wrote: »

If not, then make sure that you make the heating engineers allow for the old pipework because it could be fairly valuable.

that is the perks of the job, why should the plumber spend time ripping out if the customer reaps the benifit, if the customer wants the copper then he can rip it out himself, i took out an old water heater this week & took it away for the customer i got £1-90 at the scrap yard it didn't even pay for my diesel.

unclebulgaria

If not, then make sure that you make the heating engineers allow for the old pipework because it could be fairly valuable.[/QUOTE]

I always give them the option of getting it all out for themselves for free when I've gone home or letting me keep it.;) Its not so good atm only £3500 per/tonne! was £4300 up here. We're just really conscientious and eager to recycle!

Mr_Ted

Scrap has always been thought of as a "perk", unfortunately it is not the case as it was bought and paid for by the occupant and unless there is a written clause in the contract to replace old with new then legally you are "stealing"!

If you work for a company that has a written contract with a suitable clause in it then you are "stealing" from them if you sell it, and they could prosecute!

I believe that in this day and age if you carry scrap you have to also have a waste carriers/transfer licence and a certificate for the items, you could be prosecuted if you have not!

As for leaving it in and telling the occupant or "owner" they can take it out, then you are pathetic, mean, moneygrabbing and probably cutting of your own nose to spite your face as it will probably mean more work to place new elsewhere!

A.Penny.Saved

keithgillyon wrote: »

that is the perks of the job, why should the plumber spend time ripping out if the customer reaps the benifit, if the customer wants the copper then he can rip it out himself, i took out an old water heater this week & took it away for the customer i got £1-90 at the scrap yard it didn't even pay for my diesel.

Probably because you being paid to do the job and not help yourself to what you fancy! Any decent tradesman wouldn't do that. My parents had a central heating system fitted by a man and he left the large copper water tank in the garden. He could of easily got it into his truck if he was like that.

A pile of copper pipe is going to be worth far more than £2. There is a reason why people steal cable and metals and it's not because it costs them more in fuel to transport it.