My Central Heating Only goes half way round the house anybody understand why!?

Question

I HAVE A EUROSTAR OIL COMBI BOILER, THE HOT WATER WORKS, THE RADIATORS WORK UPSTAIRS AND ONE ROOM DOWN STAIRS, 4 DOWNSTAIRS DON'T WORK. HAVE BLED THE RADIATORS AND THE PRESSURE IS OK - SURELY THE PUMP MUST BE WORKING BECAUSE IT GOES TO 5 RADIATORS UPSTAIRS AND ONE RADIATOR DOWNSTAIRS, LEAVING 2 RADIATORS IN ONE DOWNSTAIRS ROOMS AND 1 RADIATOR EACH IN TWO ROOMS. ANY HELP APPRECIATED

Thanks for all the replies - the answer seems to be more strange. I had a problem with low voltage, the electricity company have now replaced the cables, putting them underground rather than on a pole, giving me a fresh new supply of my own. And now the cetral heating goes all around the house ! Perhaps the pump didn't have enough energy to pump ?

Answer 1

Airlocks

Did you bleed the radiators while the heating was on? That's not a good idea. In some systems, that draws air in.

You can also get airlocks from boring old gas build-up. Corrosion inhibitor should reduce that.

Airlock fixing is a simple job with the right tools - but generally only plumbers have those tools. They basically suck.

Alternatively, you might have a build up of gunge. This also happens if there's no corrosion inhibitor in the system. The treatment is to flush the system. that's messier than airlocking.

Answer 2

Shut all the valves on all the radiators and then open them one at a time starting with the ones that don't work. This might unblock the pipes because of the increased flow. If it was your upstairs ones not working I would say its a balancing problem but because it's downstairs it must be blocked. You really should have them flushed though or else you will have the same problem in a couple of months.
'I'm guessing you have tested for airlocks and bled the system'

Answer 3

Good evening Ann, ur on late!!

Maybe the thermostat on ONE of the inoperative rads is faulty. turn em all off. turn on the boiler and wait a few minutes.

Then starting with the rad furthest from the boiler bleed em all again. Wait a few more minutes and turn each thermostat on, one by one wait ...then bleed...go to each rad...open...bleed. When you have done all that you will have done all you can do....and hopefully it will work. Idea is that the pressure will build and push the blockage through the system. Though if a thermostat is knackered the rad wont heat up. I'd say in the long run your system will need draining and refreshing, just incase your rads are rotting from the inside causing the blockage.

Good luck, you may save urself a sizeable payout.

Answer 4

Don't bother with pressure or bleeding. The radiators need 'Balancing'. Close all radiator valves, flow and return, (both sides of the rad) open up the furthest from the boiler, and after opening each rad, reduce the amount that you open each valve. ie fully open, 3/4 open, 1/2 open, etc but only on the return side, (not the thermostat side). Remember to leave one rad permanently fully open. This will allow heat to all radiators.

Answer 5

It sounds like there's a fault with the pump, (check for loose connection wires) if all looks okay you could try giving it a few sharp taps with a smallish hammer (This sometimes Free's it off)
The reason your upstairs rads are hotter than downstairs is simple - warm water is lighter than cold, so it rises to the top of your system. Good luck.

PS Please turn off the power to the pump before you start looking at the wiring.

Answer 6

Have you tried bleeding the radiators with a bleed key, if not try that first before you call a Central heating company. They will charge you for a call out too as well as doing the job.

Answer 7

sounds like the system needs rebalancing try closing the ones that work half way then the rest should get warmer

Answer 8

blead the radiator downstairs seems its not passing that one becuase of airlock

Answer 9

get your boiler serviced and your radiators drained and flushed

Answer 10

BLOCKAGE IN THE DUCTS