Emptying your Central heating System
Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009
by Mike Downing
24 hour emergency plumber
Taking the water out of a fully pumped gas heating system makes many upkeep tasks easier. To totally flush the system of slime and contaminants might be one such example. Whilst this will be executed typically by an experienced plumber it is something that the average handyman can execute if they have the experience of other household maintenance tasks. Whilst there can be a number of reasons the most common is to flush the metal radiators. Before any work is undertaken you need to switch off the heating pump and central heating boiler. Another crucial step is to ensure that no additional water enters the heating system whilst you are Emptying it.
Having prevented the entry of any water to your heating system you can now take the next step by attaching a hose to an outlet valve on a radiator and running this to the outdoors of your property. The central heating system can now empty by water flowing out of the heating radiator, through the outlet valve, and into the outside flush. The hose pipe needs to be connected to the lowest point in your heating system which will be one of the ground floor heating radiators. Be patient and ensure that all water has emptied from the central heating system and no more water is getting in before you start any further work.
More air can enter the gas central heating system if you open the top level radiator bleed valves and this will help things to conclude quickly. When the water is emptied off you are free to work on your radiator.
If you require work carried out on your fully pumped central heating system you may want to flush the system. To exchange heating radiator valves or add an additional radiator as an example. Emptying your system is something that can be done by the none professional but competent do it yourself practitioner.
The main cause for most individuals for Flushing their central heating system is to clean the radiators. Before any work is attempted you need to switch off the water heating pump and boiler. Prevention of any extra water entering the gas heating system is also a priority.
The header water tank in the attic is used to normally top up the system with water. A common ballvalve is used in the expansion tank similar to that in a toilet. However when some water is drawn off the cystern, the ball drops, the valve opens and more water gets into the water tank. This is what needs to be contained when Flushing your radiator. Using a metal or wooden rod to stop the ball leaves are falling in the cystern will stop water getting into the system as the water is drained.
When all these precautions have been implemented, you should attach a hosepipe to the part of your metal radiator known as the outlet and run the end of the hose pipe outside. Once you vent the outlet valve the water will be able to rate of flow through the hose to the outside clean. The hosepipe needs to be connected to the lowest point in your heating system which will be one of the ground floor radiators. Before you start any other work on this central heating system you must now check that all the water has emptied out and no other the water is entering into the metal radiators.
By venting the bleed valves in the metal radiators on the top floor you will help air to enter the central heating system and hurry up the Draining process. When finished work can now start on the system.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)Excellent how to for every renter or homeowner who should be familar with basic maintenance.
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