New pump required on system

[Neil T]

Hi all,
I was round at a customers the other day and he mentioned that his top floor rads weren't heating up (they are in converted loft). As it was on a tank and cylinder system I checked where the tank was sited and found that the top of the 2 rads are actually 30cm above base of tank. I bled the rads but obviously as not enough pressure i got no water out of them. There is a grundfos ups 15-60 pump on the system but obviously not strong enough for the top 2 rads.
I don't do much heating work, mainly bathrooms and maintenance work, so any recommendations on a better pump to suit this situation would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Seal heating system and fit a correctly sized pump

 

[king of pipes]

As shaun has said pressurise the system you will probably find pump will be ok then . cheers kop

 

[heliotrope]

The grundfos pump is probably big enough for the job but is a circulator, not a pump as such.

The f&e tank must be above the highest radiator in order to heat the rads.

If the tank cannot be raised then the system could be pressurised to give enough head to heat the radiators but this would be conditional on whether or not the boiler is suitable for this.

 

[townfanjon]

Quick job to move the F and E up , is there room ?

Sealing the system will work but that may bring other problems

 

[Neil T]

No room to move f&e as loft has been converted and that's where rads are .. water cistern and f&e are in cupboard at side of one of converted rooms.
What does pressurising system entail?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

if the system can take it

Altecnic robokit sealed system kit | Plumb Center

 

[Neil T]

Thanks for the info guys
Need to call back to customer to check out what the boiler is, whether it's suitable and to see if there's enough room near it for exp vessel and prv

 

[Best]

Thanks for the info guys
Need to call back to customer to check out what the boiler is, whether it's suitable and to see if there's enough room near it for exp vessel and prv

Definitely best place for expansion vessel and kit is usually close to boiler.
If that proves impossible you could fit the expansion vessel remotely, also the filling loop anywhere handy for to use.
But the pressure relief valve should be fitted close to boiler IMO.
If the current set up has the water fill level at same height as highest rads, then they will work, but obviously not ideal. Lower rads would have been more sensible.
If you tried fully bleeding the upper rads while the pump was running, it sometimes works and rads will fully fill if pump was on flow pipe.

 

[Neil T]

Thanks again
I put the heating on whilst I went to do the job i originally was called to do then bled the rads after about 30 mins. Both just gave up the ghost after around 1 min.
As I said, i will check out the boiler and that, and size up the work involved and if it's out of my comfort zone I think I'll pass the job over

 

[Neil T]

Quick job to move the F and E up , is there room ?

Sealing the system will work but that may bring other problems

Understand it could lead to other problems such as weaknesses in fittings or rad valves so as above, I'll weigh up whether it's worth it to me

 

[Best]

Understand it could lead to other problems such as weaknesses in fittings or rad valves so as above, I'll weigh up whether it's worth it to me

Be aware that some systems will draw air into the upper rads if you try bleeding them when the heating pump is running. You can be deceived if you hear the hiss of air, but it is air sucking in.
If the system all looks sound, no obvious leaks, then hopefully okay to convert to sealed. Got to replace radiator valves if leaking at spindles, or TRVs if weeping at seal at pin.
I would get the customer to sign an agreement that any possible leak due to increase of pressure, although unlikely, is their risk.