A way to clear a heating system
A way to clear a heating system
A fully pumped central heating system can be emptied to enable work to be executed. To fit a temperature radiator valve or replace a broken radiator are two examples. Whilst this will be performed typically by an experienced engineer it is something that the all-purpose handyman can perform if they have the knowledge of other household maintenance tasks.
In most situations Cleaning the central heating is implemented to clean the metal radiators. Before you do anything to the actual metal radiator you should switch off the central heating boiler and any gas or electric that supplies the heating boiler. To enable the system to entirely empty you will need to guarantee that no water is getting into the central heating system.
Your gas central heating system is filled up with water via the tank. A common ball valve is used in the expansion cystern similar to that in a toilet. As the water reaches maximal level the ball floats on the surface and shuts the valve. As the water level falls, say through Cleaning, the ball drops in the tank venting the valve and allowing more water to enter the gas central heating system. Water will need to be prevented from entering the gas heating system if the Draining process is to complete. To prevent any more water entering the valve needs to be off.
Once you have finished the above run a hosepipe from an outside empty to the outlet of at the bottom of one of your metal radiators. The water from your heating radiator will current through the hosepipe and out of your metal radiator system. Obviously, if you want to empty the whole gas heating system you will need to attach the hose to one of the level metal radiators. You now need to be diligent 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 heating system.
If you need to complete this process promptly you can also open the bleed valves on the heating radiators on the upper floors. When the water is emptied off you are clear to work on your metal radiator.