Central Heating Question...

[chimster]

I have had problems getting my downstairs radiators hot. All of the rads upstairs are piping hot but downstairs apart from a small rad in the kitchen are lukewarm. The problem appears to be the water not circulating properly. The system was flushed through a couple of years ago and I would appreciate any thoughts or suggestions from those in the know, as to what the problem might be...

[RedWhiteMonkey]

How old is radiator, it could be corroded inside which could stop it working properly. Have you try bleeding it?

[chimster]

RedWhiteMonkey said:

How old is radiator, it could be corroded inside which could stop it working properly. Have you try bleeding it?

Radiators were fine a couple of years ago. I have bled them they are ok. I have checked the water temp coming down from upstairs and it is cooler than the pipe going up which is why I was querying the circulation.....

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

Just close the 'out' valve on all the upstairs rads a bit to increase the resistance. Should force the flow down.

[chimster]

ThatPhilBrettGuy said:

Just close the 'out' valve on all the upstairs rads a bit to increase the resistance. Should force the flow down.

Cool. Makes sense will do

[spikeyhead]

It's possible that the pump isn't running.

[chimster]

spikeyhead said:

It's possible that the pump isn't running.

Will check as well. Cheers

[ferg]

Sounds like it needs balancing as Phil said. Might be an airlock, though. Try turning off any radiator that's getting hot.

[chimster]

ferg said:

Sounds like it needs balancing as Phil said. Might be an airlock, though. Try turning off any radiator that's getting hot.

Gotcha. Cheers.

[chimster]

Some feedback. I have turned the radiators down upstairs and also increased the flow on the pump to max.This morning it seemed better. Will check again tonight when I get home. Cheers
Phil

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

chimster said:

Some feedback. I have turned the radiators down upstairs and also increased the flow on the pump to max.This morning it seemed better. Will check again tonight when I get home. Cheers
Phil

I wouldn't change the pump speed. Unless it's failing (unlikely as they usually make a terrible noise when they do) it'll not help and can have other undesirable side effects.

[chimster]

Ok. Thanks for that will put it back tonight. Cheers

[spikeyhead]

chimster said:

Ok. Thanks for that will put it back tonight. Cheers

They either make a lot of noise or stop pumping completely. Gravity can then take the hot water round some, but not all of the system.

I know that a knackered capacitor on my pump means it doesn't start but all the upstairs rads get hot thanks to gravity feed.