New to the buisness ... Info required.

[Pauld1962]

Hi .. I am GSR ... Been doing combi repairs mainly and swaps.. I've been asked to remove old gravity system and install combi ... My thoughts would be to drain everything down removing all old tanks and cap off all in airing cupboard... Then route flow and return under landing floorboards to new boiler location in kitchen ... All other services are available there.. My question is ....am I missing something regarding the capping off and flow/return ...

Many thanks ..... Diddy

 

[Scott_D]

Its a bit hard to say without seeing it

 

[Pauld1962]

Hi Scott...Sorry don't have any pics ...its a very old system ...no valves just a pump and microbore pipework to rads... There is is some 15mm stuff so work has been done at some point .. Cheers

Diddy

 

[ShaunCorbs]

this is an honest opinion i would re pipe the lot, chances are the 10mm is going to be nearly blocked with crud / going to give you problems when you flush the system

 

[Pauld1962]

I considered that but the customer isn't too happy with the disruption, concrete floors throughout ..!! She does have paperwork from BG regarding Powerflush 2 years ago ...

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I considered that but the customer isn't too happy with the disruption, concrete floors throughout ..!! She does have paperwork from BG regarding Powerflush 2 years ago .

any pipework in the concrete floors? and tbh that doesnt mean toffee

 

[townfanjon]

I have never done one but I didnt think you could flush microbore .. anybody ?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I have never done one but I didnt think you could flush microbore .. anybody ?

its not the best and doesnt work 70% of the time

 

[Ant Parkes]

One gravity to combi conversion I did ended up with new drops to a couple of rooms anyway due to higher pressure disrupting pipework under concrete floor / making them a lot more noticeable, losing pressure etc.

 

[king of pipes]

Beware paul chances of this being 100 per cent successful is very small i would recommend you repipe it all on a drop type system abandon the pipework in the concrete floors , cover yourself by explaining to the customer that this may work out and your reasons why ie you are pressuring old pipework not a good idea , debris in there even after a BG powerflush ha ha chances that was done properly is very small , if it gonna be done do it right otherwise it will bite you . cheers kop

 

[Harvest Fields]

its not the best and doesnt work 70% of the time

It takes a lot of perseverance and sometimes even a couple of attempts. But I have had good results. (better then expected)

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It takes a lot of perseverance and sometimes even a couple of attempts. But I have had good results. (better then expected)

whats the worst case normal cost for this would think its about the same as a re pipe ?

 

[Harvest Fields]

whats the worst case normal cost for this would think its about the same as a re pipe ?

It's not that I don't agree mate. Because you are right. But some people don't want the hassle of a re pipe.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

It's not that I don't agree mate. Because you are right. But some people don't want the hassle of a re pipe.

sometimes its the only way but do agree

 

[Chuck]

...am I missing something regarding the capping off and flow/return.

Dead legs left in the domestic water sections?

I don't like dead legs in the CH circulation much either, TBH...

 

[Harvest Fields]

Dead legs left in the domestic water sections?

I don't like dead legs the CH circulation much either, TBH...

You shouldn't leave any dead legs at all. I come across loads especially on old powermax's that used to be in airing cupboards but have now been replaced.

 

[jtsplumbing]

If you not sure how to go about converting a old gravity system get someone to help you (older plumber) as you can come unstuck, not always as straight forward as you think, Better to do a re-pipe , if system is working give it a good run to make sure that all rads are getting hot, if not & customer doesn't want a re-pipe ! walk away .

 

[Pauld1962]

Hi ... Thanks for all the input much appreciated... I called at the customers yesterday and tested the heating as JTS suggested.. All rads get hot within 10 mins... I'm not doing the job for a couple of weeks now so will let you know how I get on ... I think I will be draining down and capping everything off in airing cupboard, then tap into flow and return on heating under the landing floor .. Thanks ... Diddy

 

[cr0ft]

I have never done one but I didnt think you could flush microbore .. anybody ?

Have tried to flush a microbore system once. It worked for 6 months then got blocked up again. Customer was most unhappy even though I explained before hand that it probably wouldn't work for any length of time. I tried to explain that the smaller bore means you don't get enough flow through the pipework to dislodge everything.

Compare this to 15mm where every system has worked a treat afterwards and we've had no complaints.

Wouldn't do a microbore system again.

 

[Scott_D]

Check the bathroom radiator isnt off the hot water circuit