Draining gas central heating systems before additional action
Draining gas central heating systems before additional action
If you require work implemented on your fully pumped heating system you may want to flush the system. To fit a thermostatic radiator valve or replace a failed heating radiator are two cases. Whilst this will be performed typically by an experienced heating engineer it is something that the well-rounded jack of all trades can perform if they have the knowledge of other household maintenance jobs.
The primary cause for most individuals for Cleaning their central heating system is to clean the radiators. The first measure you should take is to turn off the heating boiler and water heating pump. Prevention of any extra water entering the heating system is also a priority.
Your Central Heating expansion water tank is where the water is fed into the system. This has a ball-valve that is the same as the one seen in your toilet tank. As the water reaches maximal level the ball floats on the surface and closes the valve. If water level falls the ball, floating on the surface, also falls opening the valve and allowing more water into the central heating system. To ensure that the heating system fully empties we need to stop this mechanism. Using a metal or wooden rod to stop the ball leaves are falling in the cylinder will stop water entering the system as the water is flushed.
Having stopped the entry of any water to your gas heating system you can now take the next step by linking a hose to an outlet valve on a heating radiator and running this to the outside of your property. Once you open the outlet valve the water will be able to flow through the hose to the external flush. To empty your whole central heating system you need to connect this hose to one of the ground floor metal radiators, the lowest ones in the house. You now need to be patient and check that all the water has emptied out and that no more water is entering before any other work is executed on the gas central heating system.
By venting the bleed valves in the radiators on the top floor you will enable air to enter the gas central heating system and accelerate up the Cleaning process. Work can begin when all the water has drained out.