how do i drain and refill my central heating system?

will i need any specialist tools e.g pressure gauges etc when

i refill the system?

George Nicola, January 2007

Sorry... Forgot to add the refill....


Close the drain-valve, close all the radiator bleed points (Double check them to be on the safe side)....

Buy youself a bottle of "inhibitor" and empty it into the header tank (The c/heating tank - Small one)...

Then let the ballvalve go so that the tank fills up... Once full, bleed off all your radiators; start with downstairs and work your way up.

Run your pump for a bit to agitate the water and you'll probably need to bleed off again...

It can take a few days for the system to settle once it's been refilled.





TOOLS:
- Small Adjustable Spanner
- Radiator Bleed Key
- Hose

MATERIALS:
- Bottle of Central Heating Inhibitor




- ALWAYS TURN YOUR BOILER AND PUMP OFF BEFORE DRAINING A SYSTEM AND DO NOT TURN IT ON UNTIL THE SYSTEM IS REFILLED -

GasAid.co.uk, January 2007

Turn off the ball-valve in the loft (Sometimes safer to just tie the ball valve up to stop it dropping as this prevents having to touch old, stuck water valves)...

Then locate the "drain-off valve" which will be somewhere on the lower-floor of your house... Sometimes on the boiler depending on the appliance.

Connect a hose to the drain-off, and place it outside... Open the valve (Small spanner on the square stud-bit) and you'll start to hear water rush through your hose...

When the water flow slows, open up all the bleed points on the highest level of the house, gradually work your way to the lowest level and job done.

GasAid.co.uk, January 2007

open vented
many thanks for your help

George Nicola, January 2007

is a combi boiler or open vented (tanks in loft)

hi-spec plumbing, January 2007