Adding water to a radiator heating system is a straightforward process, crucial for maintaining optimal performance. Here's a step-by-step guide incorporating the provided references:
Steps to Re-pressurize Your Heating System
It's important to understand that adding water to a system increases the pressure. This process typically happens when the system has lost pressure, usually due to bleeding radiators. The following steps detail how to properly add water to your radiator heating system, increasing the pressure to the correct level:
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Close the Drain-Off Valve:
- Ensure the drain-off valve, usually located near the boiler or the lowest point in the system, is completely closed. This prevents water from escaping as you add more.
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Close All Bleed Valves:
- Make sure all radiator bleed valves are closed tightly. This prevents air from entering or water from escaping when filling the system, as mentioned in reference step 2.
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Start Letting Water into Your System:
- Locate the filling loop or the filling valve. This is often a small flexible hose with valves at both ends, connecting the mains water supply to your heating system.
- Open the valve on the mains water side slowly and carefully, allowing water to flow into the heating system. This should be done gradually as highlighted in reference step 3.
- Watch the pressure gauge on your boiler. You're aiming for the recommended pressure, which is usually between 1 and 1.5 bar, but refer to your boiler manual.
- Once the correct pressure is reached, close the valve on the mains side. Then, close the valve on the heating system side of the filling loop.
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Bleed Radiators and Re-Pressurize:
- Start by bleeding air out of one radiator. Use a radiator key to open the bleed valve gently until water starts to drip out. This removes trapped air which allows the system to function correctly as noted in reference step 4.
- Close the bleed valve. You might find that after bleeding, the pressure gauge has dropped. If this is the case, you will need to top up the pressure again using the filling loop.
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Repeat for All Radiators:
- Repeat the bleeding process for all other radiators in your system, starting with the ones closest to the boiler and moving to the furthest away as noted in reference step 5.
- Always recheck the pressure gauge after bleeding, and top up the system again using the filling loop to maintain the correct pressure.
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Check for Leaks:
- After completing these steps, thoroughly inspect all radiator valves, pipe connections, and the boiler itself for any leaks (reference step 6). If you spot a leak, you will need to repair it before using your heating system.
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Inhibit the System:
- Once the heating system is correctly pressurised, it’s recommended to add an inhibitor to the system. Inhibitors are chemicals that prevent corrosion and scale build up in the heating system, therefore extending the lifespan of your heating system as noted in reference step 7.
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Switch on Your Heating:
- Finally, turn on your heating system and check for proper function (reference step 8). Ensure all radiators are heating up evenly.
Important Considerations
- Consult your boiler manual: Always refer to your boiler's manual for specific instructions and recommended pressure levels.
- Professional help: If you're uncomfortable with any part of this process, call a qualified heating engineer.
- Filling loop removal: You can disconnect the filling loop once the system has been repressurised to the correct level, but make sure to keep it safe for future use.
By following these steps, you can effectively add water and maintain the correct pressure in your radiator heating system, ensuring it works efficiently and reliably.
