Balanced radiators? downstairs still taking ages to heat up

steve1500

All in the title. I've also put radiator gunge cleaner through the system.

But was surprised the water didn't come out much dirtier when I drained the system.

The pump is a British Gas Grundfos Multihead G appears to be working

Any advice suggestions much appreciated

Alex1983

Turn all the upstairs rads off and see if they work better then? What speed is the pump on?

steve1500

If I turn the rads off upstairs, downstairs comes on, but still slowly but a bit quicker.


Not sure about pump speed as can't a manual to show me how I find that bit of info out

Alex1983

If it’s still slow with upstairs off I would think a slow pump or restriction. There will be a dial on the pump that will show the pump speed either 1-4 or 1-3

steve1500

Thanks for the help.


So up'd the speed to 3 with rads off upstairs, downstairs now heating nicely, opened the first 4 rads upstairs 1/4 turn, downstairs now starting to cool down!


Could it be too much sludge ? in a few of the upstairs rads.


Is it worth draining the system, removing a few of the upstairs rads & letting them have a chat with a jet hose?

Alex1983

I would still think it’s a worn pump or restriction, most likely around the cold feed.

chappers

Alex1983 wrote: »

I would still think it’s a worn pump or restriction, most likely around the cold feed.

I would agree, unless you have an old single pipe system.
Sludge generally builds up in the rads and a blocked rad will just block the flow to it rather than stopping circulation around the system. As you seem to be able to get all your rads nice and hot in turn it would suggest that sludge isn't the issue.
When they are warm are they warm evenly from top to bottom.

steve1500

They get hot in about 30 minutes


Trouble is, either upstairs is hot and nothing downstairs, or downstairs is hot if I turn the rads upstairs off!


House was built 20 years ago

Strider590

Upstair valves fully open or partially? Your title "balancing" is the key point here, you need to open the upstairs valves JUST enough to balance the system.

steve1500

The valves upstairs are about a 1/4 open

chappers

try closing them a little bit more until you find the "balance".
You shouldn't have a sludged system after only 12 years