Primatic cylinder

[Raff]

Hi, am new to this forum. I am no plumber but consider myself to be competent at most diy jobs, i have done basic plumbing jobs as in adding additional rads, replacing water tanks etc etc. My mother recently moved into her 1950's house and wants a towel warmer to replace a rad, modification to pipes etc.
Have looked everywhere for f&e tank but just is not one anywhere, having read other forums i have come to the conclusion that she has a Primatic cylinder coupled with a rather ageing glow worm boiler.
My question is how do i go about draining the heating system ? as i need pipes to be drained for soldering purposes, freezing pipes is not an option as pipe layout is restricting and i need to solder. Can i plug the shared water tank above the cylinder? Or do i have to drain the cylinder of hot water? Any detailed instructions would be much appreciated... Thanks.

 

[Raff]

When you say drain the system do you mean just drain the heating as normal through a down stairs rad? do i also have to drain hot water through a tap? As you say do not bung the tank should i either tie up ball valve or turn off rising main? Also would i just drain below rad i need to do work on? i.e upstairs rads. sorry for all the questions but really unsure on this system and dont fancy tank imploding. Thanks again..

 

[Raff]

Many thanks ajs, was just unsure if i had to drain via the rads only or had to drain tank through hot taps as well.

Many thanks again, will let u know how i went on when job done.

sorry to go on but when refilling apart from dirty manky tap water how do i know if the air bubble has been maintained..