I posted this yesterday but after nearly 24 hours I still can't see it in
the list so here it is again. Please accept my apologies if some of you are
seeing it for the second time.


We live in a "standard" 3-bed semi dormer bungalow built in the 70's. We
don't know how old the (back boiler type) gas central heating system is
(definitely not part of the original build) but we've been in here for 15
years so the radiators and all the pipework are older than that. Two of the
rads (bathroom and front bedroom) need bleeding every few days but it's
hydrogen gas, not air, that's coming out - I know 'cos I lit it with a flame
)

About 5 years ago we had to replace the gas fire and the back boiler. The
new boiler we installed is a Baxi Bermuda 552. We bought the boiler from a
friend who'd had it stored (in all it's original packing materials) in his
garage for 2 years but never got round to fitting it. Anyway, it's now
started kettling and I can't turn the telly up any higher without the
neighbours complaining )

So, to summarize:

Rads and all pipework older than 15 years; Boiler actually 7 years old but
only in use for 5 and now kettling; Hydrogen gas and black water that stains
anything it comes into contact with, coming out when I bleed the rads.

I'll be replacing the 'traditional' rad in the bathroom with a chrome towel
rail
very soon (in fact, it's just arrived today) and as I'm going to have to
drain the system to alter things for the new towel rail, what can be done to
tackle the other problems at the same time?

Cheers,

Mogweed.

what can be done to tackle the other problems at the same time?

You need to give the system a very good flush. Right now. If you wait, you
might find that your entire central heating system needs wholesale
replacement, pipes, radiators, cylinders, boilers and all.

Either remove all rads and pressure washer the insides in the garden, or
hire a power flush kit from your local independent tool hire shop. After
this, run the system with a descaler chemical for a week. Fix any leaks. The
system may have corroded enough that the descaler causes a few pinhole
leaks.

Then refill with water, making sure you actually put inhibitor in and
replace it every 3 years. Ignore any pillocks who suggest that inhibitor is
a waste of money.

Hopefully, you still have some radiators pipework and boiler left.

Christian.

"Christian McArdle" wrote in message
. net...
what can be done to tackle the other problems at the same time?

You need to give the system a very good flush. Right now. If you wait, you
might find that your entire central heating system needs wholesale
replacement, pipes, radiators, cylinders, boilers and all.

Either remove all rads and pressure washer the insides in the garden, or
hire a power flush kit from your local independent tool hire shop. After
this, run the system with a descaler chemical for a week. Fix any leaks.
The
system may have corroded enough that the descaler causes a few pinhole
leaks.

Then refill with water, making sure you actually put inhibitor in and
replace it every 3 years. Ignore any pillocks who suggest that inhibitor
is
a waste of money.

Hopefully, you still have some radiators pipework and boiler left.

Christian.



Cheers Christian, I'll do that - or, more precisely, a mate of mine will as
I have a bad back at the moment )

Mogweed.