Adding inhibitor to a sealed system

oldskoo1

Just bought 2 litres of x100 and 1 litre of x200 descaler for my 20 rads in sealed system.

I have a 1/2" fill kit and plan to remove the bleed valve.

Do i just need to close both radiator valves and drain the radiator down, then attach the fill kit for the radiator and bottle and just pour in? Afterwards bleed any air i assume and then open the valves and check the system pressure is correct.

I have some PTFE and some 1/2" rubber washers for when i refit the valve. Have i missed anything before i undertake this?

thanks

dogshome

From yout post I gather you are useing Sentinel additives

Sentinel are a bit coy as to what the dosage factors should be, refering to only to the No. of radiators in the system and not giveing a recommended % of additive to volume of water

I rang Sentenel and was told a volume of 10% was the ideal and overdosing was not a problem - I have an open-vented system and was able to measure the water volume in my 12 Rad system, ( An hour in the loft pouring water from a 2 litre jug into the header tank). To achieve the recommended 10% took 3 litres of X100 - (Screwfix shops discount it to around £12) - So I suspect your 20 Rad system will require 4/5 bottles of X100.

Your method of adding it is OK, but X200 isn't a de-scaler, it's a noise inhibiter

oldskoo1

thanks for the info i hadn't realised i would need 4 or 5 bottles

I just put 2 litres of Sentinel x100 in and 1Litre of x200. I checked their instructions (x100) and they said 1 Litre is fine for a 10 rad system like you said. We have 19 radiators so i thought two would be sufficient. Now i've done it i don't fancy draining another radiator to get more in as surely i will waste some that has diluted during circulation in the particular radiator i drain.

I didn't fancy doing another drain down after using something stronger than x200, but i wonder if i used enough x200 then as if you can leave it in permanently it must be quite weak. Maybe i needed 2 or 3 litres. Perhaps i just but another bottle or 2 next year if the noise doesn't settle down.

diywhynot

dogshome wrote: »

So I suspect your 20 Rad system will require 4/5 bottles of X100.

:eek: well over the top.

diywhynot

oldskoo1 wrote: »

thanks for the info i hadn't realised i would need 4 or 5 bottles

I just put 2 litres of Sentinel x100 in and 1Litre of x200. I checked their instructions (x100) and they said 1 Litre is fine for a 10 rad system like you said. We have 19 radiators so i thought two would be sufficient. Now i've done it i don't fancy draining another radiator to get more in as surely i will waste some that has diluted during circulation in the particular radiator i drain.

I didn't fancy doing another drain down after using something stronger than x200, but i wonder if i used enough x200 then as if you can leave it in permanently it must be quite weak. Maybe i needed 2 or 3 litres. Perhaps i just but another bottle or 2 next year if the noise doesn't settle down.

Why are you using X200? Don't add any more X100 to your system.

AndyPK

for the sealed system I think you should have purchased the mastic gun type for the job.
See link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SENTINEL-X100-SCALE-INHIBITOR-CONCENTRATE-GEL-/251390114600?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3a8804bb28


for the open system you can buy tester kits to check the dosage if your bother. 1 or 2 bottles should be adquate.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sentinel-X100-Quick-Test-/221327735366?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3388293a46

oldskoo1

AndyPK wrote: »

for the sealed system I think you should have purchased the mastic gun type for the job.
See link:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SENTINEL-X100-SCALE-INHIBITOR-CONCENTRATE-GEL-/251390114600?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3a8804bb28


for the open system you can buy tester kits to check the dosage if your bother. 1 or 2 bottles should be adquate.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sentinel-X100-Quick-Test-/221327735366?pt=UK_DIY_Materials_Plumbing_MJ&hash=item3388293a46

That would have been quite a bit easier and quicker, i will remember that for next time, thanks.

It actually went pretty smoothly apart from a tiny leak from the thread on the x100 bottle which was solved with some PTFE

I used x200 because my boiler is quite noisy and i was hoping a bit of x200 would silence it.

The system is only 9 years old and the water when drained is clear and it has always had inhibitor in but it is popping when hot. Mainly when half the rads shut off. The water feed has a softener but i thought x200 was worth a shot.

southcoastrgi

what is your boiler make & model ?

Pincher

This is where the Fernox TF1 wins over the Magnaclean.


I have a sealed system as well, but I just unscrew the top lid to pour it in. Have to isolate the filter, let the gunge flow out and close the bottom first, of course.


My plumber has always put in just one litre of inhibitor, either Fernox F1 or Sentinel X100, after a drain out.

oldskoo1

southcoastrgi wrote: »

what is your boiler make & model ?

Ideal Classic FF380

thanks

oldskoo1

Pincher wrote: »

This is where the Fernox TF1 wins over the Magnaclean.


I have a sealed system as well, but I just unscrew the top lid to pour it in. Have to isolate the filter, let the gunge flow out and close the bottom first, of course.


My plumber has always put in just one litre of inhibitor, either Fernox F1 or Sentinel X100, after a drain out.

Is this on a towel rail? I don't have one of those but it would be much easier.