Just moved into a property and the radiatorsare of the old type without any thermostats.I have one downstairs rad that wont heat up although it bleeds ok.The valves are coated in green powder, is this just the water type or do i have a problem?
2007-03-19 06:54:23 · 7 answers · asked by Roodi 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Green powder is oxidised copper. There was a leak, or maybe just a slow weep, for a long period of time, and the outside of the pipe got a bit corroded. Not a problem; you can rub that stuff off if it annoys you. But if it's still leaking, fix it.
Not heating up:
(1) Bleed with the heating system OFF. There's a danger that you will just draw air into the system if you bleed with the pump running.
(2) Airlock is possible cause - it might still bleed OK and be airlocked on the suction side of the pipe (the pump normally sucks water through the radiators, it doesn't shove).
(3) Gunge in radiators can cause this. Flushing the system with cleaner or, if you're really keen, taking the radiators off the wall and into the garden and firing a hose through them is the cure. Expect much black gunge to spill over carpets and herbacious borders. Your plants will probably live, but it's not my fault if they don't!
Plus if you're draining the system at all it's a good opportunity to put thermostatic valves on, or even a more funky home heating control system. Really good controls can save you a fair bit on your heating bill - you may be pleasantly surprised.
2007-03-19 07:01:45 · answer #1 · answered by wild_eep 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Over time radiators fill up with sludge, this reduces the heat that they give off. As far as the green powder is concerned, copper oxide is green in colour and is nothing to worry about.
I would suggest that you have the full system drained and flushed to remove the sludge and then if the valves are found to be non functional have them changed at the same time. If they are old copper valves with the black baker light hand wheels on top, it would be a good idea to have them overhauled and not replaced as the modern valves may look our of place on the old radiators.
2007-03-19 09:08:59 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Radiators, need to be flushed out every once in a while, and clean water installed.
You can put additives in, which help prevent scale and rust build up.
Bleed the system, at the highest point. It could be an airlock, preventing the hot water, from circulating through the downstairs radiator.
Green on the valves, is copper oxidisation, think of it as adding character, is nothing serious.
2007-03-19 07:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by calexico 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there aren't any leaks on the rads or pipework, then all should be okay. The rad that is cold may be turned off at the rad valves. The valves will clean up with a bit of soapy water.
2007-03-19 09:09:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yoou may need to bleed the air out of the line.
2007-03-19 06:59:16 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes rads need flushing thru.
2007-03-19 06:59:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the green powder sounds like rust on copper,sometimes a pin gets stuck.these sound like you need new
2007-03-19 06:58:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋