Radiators keep getting pin holes in them.

[armyash]

Hi guys,

Had to go and replace a radiator this afternoon, it's the second one I have done there in 3 months and I believe a couple more were replaced before that. Some were only 6 months old.

The customer had a flush done within the last 2 years and says the problem has got worse since. I have taken a sample so we can test the PH levels. (I think that's what we are testing).

The colour of the water I had out today was a light brown which i think could be rust from the rads if they are rusting.

It's very strange, anyone come across anything similar?

Cheers.

 

[AtlasGas]

Air getting in, is it open vent? Pumping over.

 

[Alpha man]

Open vent or pressurised system?

 

[Nostrum]

Possibly left some cleaning chemical in there when flushed?

 

[armyash]

It is open vent.

 

[armyash]

Possibly left some cleaning chemical in there when flushed?

Definitely a possibility.

 

[Nostrum]

Depending what was used, I think some go inert after time, if it was an acidic based cleaner like DS40 then you've got a problem.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

or fx2, needs to be thoroughly flushed out and neutralized. what did your ph test show?

 

[armyash]

I'm going to suggest a chemical flush (with plenty of flushing) and adding more inhibitor.

Won't be up to me what we do but that's what i'd try.

 

[armyash]

or fx2, needs to be thoroughly flushed out and neutralized. what did your ph test show?

Haven't tested it yet will be doing that tomorrow I think.

 

[Gray0689]

I'd guess it's either pumping over
Or a leak somewhere and fresh water getting in all time

 

[Cello]

Is the corrosion inhibitor concentration correct? Some corrosion inhibitors (anodic inhibitors), whilst providing excellent control at the correct concentration, can cause pitting corrosion if underdosed. It can be difficult to estimate the system volume so the corrosion inhibitor concentration is best determined by analysis.

 

[WHPES]

Failure of coil in copper cylinder?

Try converting to sealed system if overpumping.

 

[armyash]

Thanks for all the replies hopefully I will get to find out what's going on before the end of tomorrow.

 

[billybob150811]

if its done in plastic pipe does it have an oxygen barrier

 

[armyash]

if its done in plastic pipe does it have an oxygen barrier

All copper. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

All copper. Thanks for the reply.

some things you need to check,brown water is oxygenated water,so fresh waters constantly getting into the system
1,low head,htg cwsc to close to the boiler,not enough head system pumping over constantly
2,pump failing or overset or system corrosion
3,system design issue(see 1)
4,coil in cylinder failed but if both tanks(cwsc)are at the same level this is not possible,if the htg tank is higher than the domestic tank then it is

 

[Killy Bing]

Hmm, system layout or water quality.

testing for ph and conductivity?

 

[armyash]

some things you need to check,brown water is oxygenated water,so fresh waters constantly getting into the system
1,low head,htg cwsc to close to the boiler,not enough head system pumping over constantly
2,pump failing or overset or system corrosion
3,system design issue(see 1)
4,coil in cylinder failed but if both tanks(cwsc)are at the same level this is not possible,if the htg tank is higher than the domestic tank then it is

Thanks for that, plenty to go on!

 

[armyash]

Hmm, system layout or water quality.

testing for ph and conductivity?

testing tomorrow.

 

[Reg Man]

What ever caused it, the damage is done. Probably have to fit all new rads and sort out water quality and make sure air is not oxygenating the water.

 

[Killy Bing]

Ash, if your company is boggled over it you could have elector consult
Chris is at sitting bourne, he also runs vietec heating
heating-water.co.uk

going for a curry with chris and a bunch of other installers soon.

 

[armyash]

Ash, if your company is boggled over it you could have elector consult
Chris is at sitting bourne, he also runs vietec heating
heating-water.co.uk

going for a curry with chris and a bunch of other installers soon.

Thanks for the heads up killy.

Didn't get to test it today, too busy on other jobs.