Radiators on the blink

leaskovski

leaskovski

leaskovski

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I woke up this morning to the sound of drip drip drip... Another radiator has sprung a pin hole leak. This is now two in the past 2 months.

Any reason as to why rads start doing this?
 
Your not alone, got two here which have decided to start leaking today.:mad:

Will be ordering a couple from Screwfix, as they have the superb Kudox Premium radiators which have a 15 year warranty.
 
ci_newman said:
Perhaps they are all of the same age and as such all perishing at similar rates?
Click to expand...

In some cases yes, but at my last place, I had a new radiator fail within 12 months, but one which had been fitted at least 15 years earlier was still good as new.
Air can cause & speed up corrosion in a central heating system
 
How difficult is it to swap these out. I already have some of that additive stuff that my plumber cousin gave me before he left the country.

Is it just the case of doing a straight swap after draining the system a bit? Im thinking I might stick some TRVs in whilst im at it.
 
leaskovski said:
How difficult is it to swap these out. I already have some of that additive stuff that my plumber cousin gave me before he left the country.

Is it just the case of doing a straight swap after draining the system a bit? Im thinking I might stick some TRVs in whilst im at it.
Click to expand...

That's what I did, I simply drained a little water from a radiator, then topped it back up with the inhibitor. (you don't have to drain much, it's quite thick and paste like) it just mixes as the system runs.

No idea how well it works, but it's been in ours 5-6 without problem and wouldn't be surprised if some of our radiators are over 25 years old. I think it also helps to lubricate the pump.
 
leaskovski said:
Ok, having a gander on screwfix and one of the rads im replacing is a double.

Whats the difference between a double panel and a double panel plus?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/kudox-pre...compact-convector-radiator-700-x-1200mm/49238

and

http://www.screwfix.com/p/kudox-pre...e-panel-convector-radiator-700-x-1200mm/30717

Edit: BTU... doh!
Click to expand...


First one 49238 (Type 21) is a double radiator with convector fins only on one panel, whereas 30717 (Type 22) has convector fins on both panels
As you can see the Type 22 has a higher heat output.
Also surprised you using a 700mm high radiator compared to a 600mm one.

http://greendealeco.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/central-heating-radiator-types-type-11-type-21-type-22/
 
Last edited:
You radiators have pin hole leeks because they are rusting from the inside out, this is because the system has not been properly maintained.

After you have replaced the faulty rads you need to run a cleaning solution in the system for a month or two like this one

After the sludge treatment you should drain the system and re-fill with the addition of rust inhibitor like this

Just to note I recommend using the suggested about of rust inhibitor + 25% -50% extra, you will not do any damage using more than the recommended amount.
 
That's some interesting information. Thanks.

I've just run my room size through the following site to get the recommended btu ...

http://www.home-radiators.co.uk/Radiator-BTU-Calculator.htm

I've noticed that it comes out at about 3500btu. If I replace the radiator like for like, then I am massively over the calculated value. Should I just go for the single panel with a slightly less height rad? Even then I'm still over.
 
Before you do...are you certain that you are not running them over pressure?

Reason i ask is that i had similar in one of my houses, it turned out that the tenant had opened the inlet to the boiler for some reason, left it open, and as a result the rad loop was operating at around 3bar (the level at which the boilers overpressure vent was keeping it).

First i heard was a report of multiple radiator leaks. As soon as i put the system back at around 1 bar, the radiators held and stopped leaking.
 
jimmy321 said:
You radiators have pin hole leeks because they are rusting from the inside out, this is because the system has not been properly maintained.

After you have replaced the faulty rads you need to run a cleaning solution in the system for a month or two like this one

After the sludge treatment you should drain the system and re-fill with the addition of rust inhibitor like this

Just to note I recommend using the suggested about of rust inhibitor + 25% -50% extra, you will not do any damage using more than the recommended amount.
Click to expand...

As I said, this is good information. What's the best way of getting that product into the system? Just draining some water out and then pouring it in via the expansion tank?

Once it has been run round the system for a while is it just the case of draining it again and then filling with the inhibitor first and then letting the expansion tank fill up as per normal.

I've got 9 rads in total. Should just the 1 litre surface? The website for sentinel say 1 litre for up to 10 rads.
 
Jez said:
Before you do...are you certain that you are not running them over pressure?

Reason i ask is that i had similar in one of my houses, it turned out that the tenant had opened the inlet to the boiler for some reason, left it open, and as a result the rad loop was operating at around 3bar (the level at which the boilers overpressure vent was keeping it).

First i heard was a report of multiple radiator leaks. As soon as i put the system back at around 1 bar, the radiators held and stopped leaking.
Click to expand...
Its an open system, so the pressure will be normal.
 
I'm not sure if you can mix inhibitors tbh.
I'd fully drain the system, chemical flush it, rinse a couple of times.
Then refill with the inhibitor installed
 
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