Radiator pinhole leaks

diystarter7

Hi

We have designer rads and developed a pinhole leak near the top I changed it - water was dirty a bit brownish but no sludge etc.
A second one has slightly bubbled up near the top - one is vertically fitted and the other is horizontally fitted - all are in constand used.

Re pinholes, can anyone confirm if they are at the bottom near the bottom as the vertical fitted one is 1800mm high - the the horizontal one is about 500mm high and both near the top but not at the top about 30/40mm lower.

In simple terms can rad have pinholes near the top as I thought if there was sludge etc it would be nearer the bottom within 300mm from bottom

Thanks

FreeBear

Radiators should not have pinholes, ever.

The most likely places for pinholes to develop are along the seams where they have been welded or where the metal is thin - This is usually on a bend or compound curve where the metal has been stretched during the forming process.

Bendy_House

It does seem strange. But I guess if there's air in your system, then the ~35mm line might represent the top of the water level, so the inside has the worst combination of air and water?

Or, as FB suggests, are there welds or seams there?

What happens when you bleed all your rads? Do they need doing again?

Was inhibitor added?

Do you have a magnetic filter fitted? If so, what's it collected? If not, perhaps a good thing to do?

Kim1965

Do you have a problem with gas collect Ing in rads? Is this gas flammable (be careful of the curtains). If so you may need to flush and inhibit your system. The water may be corrosive and hydrogen forming as it reacts with the rads.