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I don't have a pump to do that Shaun.. and can't do it with the boiler connectedDoesn't matter if the system is drained to test with the magnet works either way
And would stick 5 bar in it and see what it does
Discuss Finding a blockage in heating pipework in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net
I don't have a pump to do that Shaun.. and can't do it with the boiler connectedDoesn't matter if the system is drained to test with the magnet works either way
And would stick 5 bar in it and see what it does
Sorry, I must be extra thick today! Shut all other rads except problem rads. On 1st prob rad disconnect a valve and attach my flusher to it and see if I get good flow from open end? Doesn't this still have to go round the main circuit?Disconnect the rad valve on each end of the problem rads and check the flow into a bucket or hose.
Make sure you get a good flow from all four ends.
This should help identify any blocked runs etc
Oh lol I see what you mean..No.
I meant:-
Release the pressure from the system.
Turn both the valves off to one of the problem rads.
Disconnect one valve from one end and turn it to face forward. ( you'll need to plug the rad to stop it dribbling of course, I use a rubber bung).
Then, into a baking tray or bucket or hose connected to the valve you have disconnected, open said valve (carefully) to check that water flows from it.
If it does, re connect it and do the next, just to prove that there is a flow of water from each of those valves.
Once you've done that, you will either see that one or more or indeed none of the pipes are restricted.
No I hear what your saying, and I really appreciate your help.I'm thinking that if those rads are not working and there is some sort of restriction in the flow around the system, it is a good place to start. As good a place as any.
You will confirm whether there is a clear path to each end of each rad.
It will only tell you if that length of pipe to the rad is clear of course. Beyond that is more difficult, it can flow from either side of a tee, for example.
You may be better releasing the pressure from the rad in your case, that way there will still be pressure in the system to allow water to be pushed from the end you have disconnected. You will have to keep it topped up too.
Once you've done that and ruled out a blockage in each section, you can move on with your thinking.
A lot depends on route too and like I said earlier, we haven't seen the job.
If for example, the two downstairs rads are fed together then a blockage in either flow or return would stop them both from working but if they are both tee'd off separately, you are less likely to learn anything because water can flow form either direction.
I am just trying to think of a good place to start !
Hope this is helping and not confusing the issue.
As far as I can see as I've taken up a couple of boards downstairs is in 15mm. I've strangely got flow now. Gone open one rad at a time and see what gives me the weakest flow and return temp to see if I can narrow it downJust to refer back to CHUCK's comments earlier.
This blockage ( if it is a blockage ), could just be partial and could cause the Boiler to short cycle.
That would prevent the downstairs from getting hot.
If that's the case, the you would possibly still get a flow from each leg.
What size are the pipes in the downstairs circuit, are they the same as the rest of the circuit or smaller?
Absolutely! I'm going to cut out the section of blockage and repipe itMy initial impression is that the return doesn't seem to get back past the 'square grid' but is okay before that. That would point the finger of suspicion at the section of return you are looking at between 15s and 17s in the first video.
If it were my nice wooden floor, I would want to use this guess as a hypothesis and see if it was consistent by checking that the returns between radiators on the far side of it were all talking to each other but not to anything on the near side of the hypothesised block.
Once you have pinned down the blockage don't let the joy stop you thinking. Whatever you do next needs to get it out of the system not just move it somewhere else. If power flushing failed as it did in this case, the best strategy might be to replace the blocked length rather than try to unblock it.
Cheers ShaunThin steel (copper shortage in the 70s)
Only compression can't solder
Def not lead. Exactly like copper but silver. Cheers chuckIf it looks grey but is fairly soft and silver if you scratch it it's likely to be lead. Lead was still used up until about, say, 1970.
Anyway, the techniques used for jointing lead are not quite the same as for copper tubing and I would recommend you don't make the first time you try it on a customer's system.
There are a couple of people who are active posters (Last Plumber and JustinLead1 come to mind) who have mentioned they have leadwork skills. Probably best to upload a couple of photos and hope they drop in.
Thin steel (copper shortage in the 70s)
Is it thin/soft enough to cut with a pipe slice? There's no room for a hacksaw lolThin steel (copper shortage in the 70s)
Only compression can't solder
I know where the blockage is.. but no.. glad I found it before I got the magnet out lolIf it is steel then, obviously, you can't use a magnet to tell whether it's blocked...
As in rip out all thin steel pipe? It's not weird sizesis it? Standard compressions will be ok?Would give them a price to re pipe if it is what I'm thinking about
Standard compressions will be ok?
Is it thin/soft enough to cut with a pipe slice? There's no room for a hacksaw lol
As in rip out all thin steel pipe? It's not weird sizesis it? Standard compressions will be ok?
So just hacksaw and compressions?Yea looks like it's been brazed
It's def not that tee. but still not getting any return flow past first two radsThat pipe looks from the photo like Truweld, (brand name ), it was used during the copper shortage in the 60's and most of the stuff I've seen is steel pipe, thin walled which had been tinned so it could be soldered like copper.
My advice to you, if the customer is willing is to get shut.
If I'm going to do option 1 may as well do option 2 and be done with itYou have two options
1 you know the blockage is on the main run, so start one end and cut and splice until you find it
2 re pipe
Reply to Finding a blockage in heating pipework in the Plumbing Jobs | The Job-board area at PlumbersForums.net
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