Help Heating System!

[edition]

Hi,

I've just drained the gravity fed heating system to fit some new radiators. All went smoothly until I tried to refill the system. Tank is full but hasnt filled the radiators... Although has filled 1 of them......

Any ideas? I presumed that the feed pipe was blocked so called an emergancy plumber only to be told that gravity fed systems can take upto a few days to refil.....

Is the above really the case or did he not want to come out!

Any help would be much appreciated!

Thanks

[a7x88]

I'm assuming you've opened the bleed valves on the other radiators?
Start with the highest radiator first.

If you've done that try manually opening the zone valve/three way valve.

Edit: to open the zone valves there is usually a metal lever on the side you can pull accross and lock in place - they usually default to the closed position which maybe stopping the water. Which radiator is filled at the moment?

Edited by a7x88 on Saturday 18th August 19:50

Edited by a7x88 on Saturday 18th August 19:50

[edition]

Downstairs in the lounge has filled up......

Valve I presume is in the airing cupboard? I have found a little blue box in there with a label saying valve actuator on It..... Should I be doing something with that?


Yes I opened all the bleeds on the radiators but no luck....

Thanks for far!!

[a7x88]

Sounds like the one! It should be mounted on a length of copper pipe and controls when the radiators get hot water etc. there is normally a little lever on the side you can move. If not fire the boiler/controls back up and turn your heating to full - that will definitely open it! If that works you would normally hear a gurgling sound as water rushes into the rads.

If it does work shut the boiler back down and hunt for a way to open manually - you don't want to risk firing the boiler for too long if it has no water in it!!

[dirkgently]

The cold feed from the F&E cistern is probably blocked. Is it possible to get a hose pipe on the drain off and back-fill the system?

[edition]

Hi,

Thanks just done that and put the arm to the place it goes when I turn heating on. It's now locked there....

No sounds of water flowing still tho......


Thanks for the help so far!

[edition]

Dirk.... Don't have one of those hosetail things so can't really work out how to backfill.......

[a7x88]

As dirk says; sounds like a blocked cold feed then. They normally block at the tee where it joins the rest of the system. Try putting a magnet in it and see if it sticks!

[edition]

That t is right under my newly finished bathroom :-(

[dirkgently]

edition said:

Dirk.... Don't have one of those hosetail things so can't really work out how to backfill.......

How did you drain down? If you have an outside tap and a hose pipe attached, connect the hose pipe to the drain down point and turn on outside tap.

[a7x88]

Try and find a way of connecting mains water to one of the radiators - how did you drain down? That will force the water up into the other rads and fill the system that way.

[edition]

I drained the rad. Nearest to the backdoor then put hose in the valve hole and then opened the valve.... I guess doing what a proper drain point would do.....

Thinking about adding a drain point and back filling.......

[Dogwatch]

edition said:

Yes I opened all the bleeds on the radiators but no luck....

So if they all start filling up they'll all be weeing on your carpets/walls/curtains when full while you run round like a lunatic turning off the bleed valves?

Hmmmm.....


Oh, you forgot one. Soggy carpet time.

[edition]

If only that would happen!!!!

[dirkgently]

The other possibility is an air lock in the cold feed. For this you will need about two feet of garden hose, go into the loft and feel about in the F&E cistern to locate the cold feed outlet.hold one end of the hose over the CF outlet and the other end over the outlet of the ball valve, depress ball valve with any free appendage and see if you can dislodge the air lock.

ETA Close the bleed valves first.

[edition]

Hi,

Already done he hose thing but just blew down it... I realise this will get air into system it I was kinda getting desperate!!! Will try your water feed idea. I was getting slight noises from rads when blowing down the hose but it was taking all my puff!

[edition]

Going to add a drain to the lowest point so I can have ago at back filling the system. Does it matter if it's on feed or return??

Thanks!

[dirkgently]

edition said:

Going to add a drain to the lowest point so I can have ago at back filling the system. Does it matter if it's on feed or return??

Thanks!

Ether, makes no difference.

[edition]

I shut all the bleed points on radiator last night then opened on this morning... A fair bit of air came out so I presume it's not fully blocked??

Will backfilling have me up and running or is it a short term fix. Thinking maybe I should get a plumber out to sort.....

Thanks for the help!

[a7x88]

Just a quick thought... Do you have thermostatic valve on the radiators? If so have you made sure they're fully open? It was a hot day yesterday so they may have fully shut depending on their setting