Central Heating
Basic central heating diagnosis
To ensure that your central heating works efficiently it is essential to service your system annually. Regular inspections by yourself will help diagnose initial problems and gauge the health of your central heating system.
At HicksonScott we believe that you should have the knowledge to self-diagnose basic problems with your central heating system. This will help give you a greater understanding of the problem as well as confidence when dealing with a plumbing engineer.
Radiators
To check radiators on your central heating system follow the four simple steps below:
- Whilst your central heating system is cool (we don’t want you to burn your fingers!) check that all radiators are securely fixed to the wall. Radiators should not move, any movement would be harmful to the adjoining pipework.
- Visually check radiator for signs of leaks. This will be signalled by corrosion and scale build up on the radiator and/or around nuts and pipework. Or maybe the puddle of water around your ankles...
- Switch on central heating system, ensure your central heating system is switched on for at least 45minutes and radiator valves are set to max!!
- Individually touch every radiator at the top and bottom checking for heat distribution. Checking for the following heat patterns.
Even heat across whole surface: Radiator working efficiently
Top cold, bottom hot: Air in radiator. Radiator requires bleeding
Top hot, bottom cold: Sludge has built up in bottom of Radiator. Radiator requires Power Flushing or replacing.
Whole radiator cold: Check Thermostatic Radiator valve is set to max. Valve may be faulty or your central heating system may require balancing
Noisy pipework
Creaks, knocks and vibrations are common problems with faulty or badly installed central heating systems. These noises are not just irritations they are indications that pipes may need securing and/or central heating components are worn and potentially require replacing.
Leaks in central heating system
There are many different reasons why air and fresh water get into a central heating system from loose nuts to badly designed systems. Air and/or fresh water entering your system signals that you have a leak somewhere, which will corrode, and sludge up your central heating system reducing its life span and efficiency:
Air: You'll know if air is getting in because the radiators will need bleeding to remove the air on a frequent basis. You may even hear your pipework making gurgling noises.
Fresh water: It is difficult to identify whether fresh water is entering a central heating system however for the more practically minded you can follow the procedure below;
To test whether there is fresh water entering the system a sample test of the water within the central heating system will be required to check how corrosive the water currently is. To complete the test, place the sample in a clean jam jar with lid and put a new shiny iron/steel nail in it. Remember not to use a galvanised nail or the test won't work. Put the lid back on and leave the jar for a week or so. If the water has turned orange and the nail is rusty, the water has too much oxygen and will be corroding the inside of your system in the same way.
Unfortunately, it's impossible for us to identify and list all problems and solutions with central heating systems but hopefully you found this page of interest and possibly useful. Whilst it is maybe possible for you to identify these basic problems, it is usually a job for a professional plumber to put it right safely and adhere to British Building Regulations.
Contact us if you have any concerns about the health and efficiency of your central heating system.