"David Hearn" wrote in message
...

"Mark Trueman" wrote in message
om...
"David Hearn" wrote in message
...
Our central heating system doesn't appear to have any drain points in
it
apart from possibly on the boiler (which is about 6' off the floor).
We've
a suspended ground floor with pipework running under the floorboards.
Without actually taking up all the floorboards around the 3 downstairs
radiators to check that someone installed one - I'm a little stuck.

So - assuming for now that there aren't any under the floorboards -
what
should I do to drain the whole system?

I'm planning on adding TRVs sometime, so I'll just fit lockshields
with
draincocks on when I do that. However I've found a leak on a solder
joint
going to a radiator in a room we're decorating. It's been there since
we
moved in, but we're going to put down a new carpet - and don't want to
that
if I'm going to need to take it up again to lift the boards to repair
the
pipe, let alone if its going to stain the carpet before I do that!
Depending on how I feel - I may well do all the jobs at the same
time -
however I just need to get the water out the pipes first!

I know that trying to solder a joint which has any water in it may
well
fail - however what about compression joints? Do these need to be
completely dry before making the joint?

Thanks

D


I recently did what you are trying to do by using one of those self
cutting taps used for the garden hose system. Stick a long washing
machine hose on it and i can drain it straight outside, no trays or
buckets required.

Hmmm.... very very neat idea!!! I like it! Easy enough to do under the
floor too at (pretty much) the lowest point!

Thanks for that.

Okay... any idea where I can get these cheaply? I've seen one at Screwfix
which appears to have a washing machine hose thread on it - are these the
same as outside tap threads? I doubt it. I've got garden hose fittings for
screw taps which would be nice and easy to reuse.

Thanks

D