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End pipes

  • 09-01-2010 7:13pm
    #1
    brenhego
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2 ✭


    Hi.

    Several years ago we had a radiator in our living room removed. After its removal two copper pipes fitted with end caps were left protuding from the floor.

    Last night one of the end caps blew off one of the copper pipes. I found the end cap and wedged it back on staunching most of the flow of water from it. Five minutes later the other one blew off as well.

    I intend to get spare olives and end caps tomorrow and fit these to the pipes again. However, would anyone have any idea as to why this happened in the first place. Given the recent weather we have had the heating on much more than we used to and a lot hotter. Could this have been the reason.


Comments

  • #2
    Pete67
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,257 ✭✭✭Pete67


    Yes it could. Water expands as it's heated, so it will increase pressue in the system unless it has somewhere to go. However if the end caps blew off this suggests other problems with the heating system. Either the caps were not installed correctly, or the pressure is rising far beyond normal limits. Are the end caps push fit or compression fittings?

    It sounds like you have a sealed system and the pressure is increasing with temperature. This is normal, but if the expansion vessel (small red cylindrical vessel) is correctly sized, and working correctly - i.e. correctly charged then the pressure rise will be minimal as the increase in water volume caused by thermal expansion will be absorbed in the vessel. In the event that the expansion vessel fails (loses its air charge) the pressure increase is likely to cause the pressure relief valve to open releasing the pressure and preventing a dangerous situation arising. In fact the first sign if a failed expansion vessel is often a leaking PRV.

    You can replace the end caps with compression fittings, and make sure they are tightened properly. Then monitor the system pressure by any means possible, usually a pressure guage on gas boilers, may also be one near the filling loop. If it's running much above 2.5 bar, or the PRV leaks everytime the heating is on, then you need to get the system checked out and the problem corrected.


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