Changing 5 radiators

markin

Is the pipe 15mm or 10mm ?

AMO

TELLIT01 wrote: »

If there is a blockage in the system, simply changing the radiators isn't going to cure it. Even with new rad's a power flush is going to be required. Taking radiators off and flushing through is going to be cheaper than replacing them.

Definately agree there. The house was built in the 1980s so not too old but still decades old. The problem I have is that getting the plumber to take off existing radiators and flush them doesn't save as much as I'd like (about £300 across 5 radiators) and the bulk is labour and putting valves and changing any twin entry valves. So if we're paying this amount anyway, we may as well get them changed is the thinking.

AMO

Dan-Dan wrote: »

If they flush them properly water will run clear when complete, replace radiators if rusty

The concern was that a powerflush could make things worse if it pushed sludge such that it caused the blockage to be worse.

AMO

Ganga wrote: »

Are you competent to shut off both ends of one of the downstairs rads,undo the pipework and drain the radiator,remove from the wall and take outside and turn on its end to see what comes out,you can then flush with a hosepipe.

Never tried really. I have no problems giving it a try. But I worry about getting things wrong and then it leaking or something. Or that I don't turn off both sides properly - it might be obvious to a plumber, but I found that even bleeding the radiators aren't obvious as standard keys don't fit all radiators.

AMO

nofoollikeold wrote: »

1. I'd be worried about what to do if changing the radiators doesn't work.
2. If the upstairs radiators do warm up, even lukewarm, check to see if there is a pattern of heat across the radiator. Cold at bottom and hot at top does suggest sludge.
3. Ganga's suggestion is a good one if you feel up to it.
4. Knowing what type of system you have would help, and particularly knowing whether the downstairs radiators are fed from under the floor or via drop pipes from upstairs.

1) Yes, us too, but we figured that if we needed to repipe everything in a large job, changing the radiators would be one of them.

2) The radiators are uniformly lukewarm.

4) We have a standard system boiler which is open vented. The plumber changed it to a closed vent pressurised system stating that having it open vented was one of the sources of our problems as all sort of stuff could get into the system.

Thanks

AMO

markin wrote: »

Is the pipe 15mm or 10mm ?

It's old copper 8mm microbore unfortunately. This is why we are likely to take the advise of changing the raditators and at the same time remove any twin entry valves before powerflusing if needed.

As its 8mm and more easily cloggable, we figured that we better take every precaution.

AMO

Ant555 wrote: »

Ignoring any issues that may be present in your system discussed above... in my opinion, the quote for supply and fitting of 5 new radiators + all the bits seems very reasonable especially if they drain down the system to fit all the lockshields and TRV's - I would be happy with that.

Thanks for that. I wanted to know the price was within a reasonable range.