Flushing out radiators

OxJak

We moved into a new-build property almost a year ago, and tomorrow our builder is coming round to discuss some things which need doing (mainly all caused by a leaky wall!). I'm trying to think of anything else I can get him to do at the same time, and I've noticed that our radiators are hot at the top and cold at the bottom.

I've read that flushing the system through would probably cure this, but wonder if it's something that I shouldn't expect to have to do after less than a year in the place (and therefore can ask him to do!)

If anybody has any advice then it would be gratefully received! I wouldn't mind doing it myself (if it's fairly straightforward, of course), but it would be nice if someone else was to do it for free

imnoexpert_3

Have you tried bleeding the air out of the radiator?

seashore321

Radiators should be warm all the way through right from the start. It probably means they just need bleeding or else the water pressure is low. I would always mention it as if you don't they may quibble at a later date. Get the builder to bleed the radiators for you and then if there is a problem later you have some fall back!
In a new build mention everything even a wonky kitchen cabinet door. If you don't it won't get fixed. Trust me I know!!

Good luck and happy new home. :j

gasmanmartin

your radiators don't need bled!
If they are hot at the top and cold at the bottom, this means that there is no air - but sludge sitting along the bottom that would have been caused by air or a system that has been poorly commissioned (eg no hot flush, cold flush, chemicals) the only cure for this - as you say - is to flush the system (powerflush). This method is 99% going to work but is VERY expensive ... ask local tradesmen for quotes (depends how many rads you have) you are talking a good £700. After a powerflush is complete the company may (should) give you a lifetime warrenty for sludge in the system because if done properly it wont come back.

sorry should have also said that you should not be expecting this in a system that young, ask the builders to do this - the system clearly hasn't been commissioned properly

OxJak

Thanks gasmanmartin, that's what I thought! I had thought that if they were cold at the top then they needed bleeding ('cos air floats!) and if they were cold at the bottom then there was sludge (which sinks!). Didn't realise it would be that expensive though, I'll definitely push to get the system cleaned out then!

darkcloudi

OxJak wrote: »

Thanks gasmanmartin, that's what I thought! I had thought that if they were cold at the top then they needed bleeding ('cos air floats!) and if they were cold at the bottom then there was sludge (which sinks!). Didn't realise it would be that expensive though, I'll definitely push to get the system cleaned out then!

I put in a new boiler system and was told by my installer that as I am changing the pipes and boiler I should change my radiators as they are quite cheap to replace but as I exceeded my budget due to number of other changes to my house I could not do this so the option I took was put a power hose down each of the radiators and flushed them out that way ( a lot of sludge did come out this way ). You can remove each radiator and clean them out this way until you see clean water coming out and then purchase some sludge remover to place in the system and get rest of the sludge out. This would be cheaper then paying £700 odd quid for a power flush.

alanobrien

If you have a bit of plumbing knowledge you can always hire the powerflush kit
and DIY. You would need to buy the chemicals but you could still do the job yourself for less than £100

http://www.hss.com/g/51610/Central_Heating_Flusher.html