Very basic plumbing question.....
Discussion
One of my rental properties is now empty and I can't get a new oil delivery for the boiler until the New Year (they can't deliver until then. Apparently).
So I need to shut down the house as I'm worried about burst pipes. I want to turn off the water main and drain the water - here's the numpty question.....
So I turn off the water - turn on hot and cold in the bathrooms - to drain the water out of the system (cold water tank in loft).
Will that do it?
When I can eventually get hold of some oil, I guess I can't fire up the boiler immediately - or can I?
Sorry, silly questions probably!
That will drain the hot/cold water pipes but you will have to drain the central heating pipe work and radiators too.
And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
Edited by Leve Lad on Friday 3rd December 20:54
Edited by Leve Lad on Friday 3rd December 20:55
Leve Lad said:
That will drain the hot/cold water pipes but you will have to drain the central heating pipe work and radiators too.
And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
OK, thanks for that... do you think the central heating pipework is at risk of bursting? I guess it must be....... I kind of thought it was pipes in the loft that were at most risk.And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
Assuming it's a conventional set up with a Hot Water Cylinder, you want to drain the Heating System, Hot Water Cylinder and service pipework.
Turn off the main stop tap, open hot and cold taps. This will drain the storage tank for the cylinder and the hot and cold pipework.
On the cylinder, there should be a drain-off valve that you can attach a hose pipe to. This will empty the cylinder.
Some where on the heating pipework there should be a drain off, possibly one on the boiler. Drain from there and this will empty the rads, feed and expansion tank in the loft and heating pipework. Make sure you open the bleed valves on the rads to aid draining.
Turn off the main stop tap, open hot and cold taps. This will drain the storage tank for the cylinder and the hot and cold pipework.
On the cylinder, there should be a drain-off valve that you can attach a hose pipe to. This will empty the cylinder.
Some where on the heating pipework there should be a drain off, possibly one on the boiler. Drain from there and this will empty the rads, feed and expansion tank in the loft and heating pipework. Make sure you open the bleed valves on the rads to aid draining.
NDA said:
Leve Lad said:
That will drain the hot/cold water pipes but you will have to drain the central heating pipe work and radiators too.
And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
OK, thanks for that... do you think the central heating pipework is at risk of bursting? I guess it must be....... I kind of thought it was pipes in the loft that were at most risk.And before you relight your boiler you will have to refill the systems as well.
Generally internal pipe work isnt a problem but obviously its better to be safe than sorry.
MJG280 said:
and you won't drain them completely so it all depends how much is left.
Electric heater on a thermostat. I'm assuming this is the southeast so ignoring this week will it get that cold?
I don't see why it shouldn't get far colder in January.Electric heater on a thermostat. I'm assuming this is the southeast so ignoring this week will it get that cold?
IIRC you can buy antifreeze for heating systems.
In the meantime you could buy some heating oil in transportable drums and fill up the tank enough yourself. It may be cheaper and less effort than the alternatives..
Kudos said:
NDA said:
I can't get a new oil delivery for the boiler until the New Year (they can't deliver until then. Apparently).
That can't be right. I own an oil company and at the minute we are looking at a delay of 3-4 days topsRing around. What part of the world are you in?
Thanks for all the tips everyone, much appreciated.
Leve Lad said:
Generally internal pipe work isnt a problem but obviously its better to be safe than sorry.
Unless the heating is off.I'd be tempted to leave the sink / basin / bath taps open after you drain down too. As this will give any remaining water the space to extend into - by letting air escape - if it does freeze.
Remember to shut them before you fill up though.
Globs said:
ferg said:
Ricky_M said:
On the cylinder, there should be a drain-off valve that you can attach a hose pipe to. This will empty the cylinder.
Turn off cold feed.
Run hot taps until they stop.
Put old towel around top of cylinder.
Disconnect hot draw-off.
Push hose into cylinder.
Syphon water out.
ferg said:
Globs said:
ferg said:
Ricky_M said:
On the cylinder, there should be a drain-off valve that you can attach a hose pipe to. This will empty the cylinder.
Turn off cold feed.
Run hot taps until they stop.
Put old towel around top of cylinder.
Disconnect hot draw-off.
Push hose into cylinder.
Syphon water out.
Spend next 5 minutes spitting out brown gunk from bottom of cylinder.
I'd save th faffing around and go and collect it myself. Phone any of the suppliers in Yellow Pages and they'll sell it to you in 25 litre barrels. May charge you a deposit, but it'll be available. Just make sure lids on tight before you lay them down in your boot. Done it loads of times for on-site generators and boat fuel.
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