underfloor

yop

Folks
Have my UFH in now since 2005, did it myself. I remember back in 07 I think I had to empty it and refill it.
Notice now temp isn't coming up as good as it used to so I suspect I might have to refill it.
Do you know it if needs to be presurrised after? I didn't the last time I did it or on initial install, but I note on online instructions that lads are doing it will those hand pumped pressure systems.

Will do the upstairs tonight and the downstairs maybe over weekend.

Micky Dolenz

How do you fill it? It has to be pressurised.

yop

Filled it off the mains Mickey, did it there tonight, but I see some places say you need to pressurize it then.

shane0007

UFH should be purged for at least an hour & then some....

yop

shane0007 wrote: »

UFH should be purged for at least an hour & then some....

Dont get you Shane, what do you mean when you say purged?

shane0007

Purged of microscopic air, similar to purging solar systems. The UFH loops trap microscopic air that eventually gathers to a larger air pocket & blocks a loop. Purging removes all of this or at least most of it. The longer the purge, the better the result.

I use my solar pumping station for purging UFH also. Just leave it running whilst doing other jobs. If not done, I have gone to UFH systems with my thermal image camera & you can see the loops that are not heating completely. Usually sorted with a purge.

yop

shane0007 wrote: »

Purged of microscopic air, similar to purging solar systems. The UFH loops trap microscopic air that eventually gathers to a larger air pocket & blocks a loop. Purging removes all of this or at least most of it. The longer the purge, the better the result.

I use my solar pumping station for purging UFH also. Just leave it running whilst doing other jobs. If not done, I have gone to UFH systems with my thermal image camera & you can see the loops that are not heating completely. Usually sorted with a purge.

I get you sorry. I did that tonight, I gave each loop about 5 mins, then I opened the full system and gave it another 5. Then refilled the full system.

That imaging system sounds like a great job! You down in Mayo

Micky Dolenz

I think you can hire them. Nothing like bare feet though

yop

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

I think you can hire them. Nothing like bare feet though

Ya nothing like a wife in bare feet to burn your ears complaining

Wonder where would rent them? Could a man rent one of them hand pumps to pressurize the UFH too I wonder?

shane0007

yop wrote: »

That imaging system sounds like a great job! You down in Mayo

Only when I am accompanied by both my great grandparents!

Purging with mains is not purging as this is introducing fresh oxygenated water. It must be done with a machine fit for purpose, being open vented at the machine.

yop

shane0007 wrote: »

Only when I am accompanied by both my great grandparents!

Purging with mains is not purging as this is introducing fresh oxygenated water. It must be done with a machine fit for purpose, being open vented at the machine.

Ya? I had a look on youtube and they all seem to be using mains. But I see what you are saying.

shane0007

Hand pumps are no good for purging.
Most hire shops should hire solar pump stations or speak to a solar installer.

Micky Dolenz

A power flush machine would do the same job.

There are a few ways around it anyhow.

How many circuits have you in the system, UFH. Are they all the same? If so , purging may not be the problem.

shane0007

Yes, indeed if you can get your hands on a powerflush machine, it will do the same job.

yop

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

A power flush machine would do the same job.

There are a few ways around it anyhow.

How many circuits have you in the system, UFH. Are they all the same? If so , purging may not be the problem.

Have 6 upstairs and 8 downstairs.

yop

I see Sam Hire do these

http://www.samhire.ie/building-concreting/item/13-plumbing/49-pipe-pressure-tester-manual.html

Micky Dolenz

yop wrote: »

Have 6 upstairs and 8 downstairs.

UFH all round and upstairs is fine? All 8 downstairs are under-performing?

shane0007

yop wrote: »

I see Sam Hire do these

http://www.samhire.ie/building-concreting/item/13-plumbing/49-pipe-pressure-tester-manual.html

No good for purging.

This is what you need

http://ie.c-mcenergy.com/filling_flushing.php

http://ie.c-mcenergy.com/filling_flushing_heating.php

yop

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

UFH all round and upstairs is fine? All 8 downstairs are under-performing?

downstairs is better, but over the years its probably not as good as it was originally.

yop

shane0007 wrote: »

No good for purging.

This is what you need

http://ie.c-mcenergy.com/filling_flushing.php

http://ie.c-mcenergy.com/filling_flushing_heating.php

Ouch pricey!

Micky Dolenz

yop wrote: »

downstairs is better, but over the years its probably not as good as it was originally.

Is it UFH upstairs and down?

upstairs is worse than down stairs?

yop

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Is it UFH upstairs and down?

upstairs is worse than down stairs?

Upstairs and down both have UFH.
Upstairs is worse indeed.

Micky Dolenz

If everything was ok, there should be no need to check manifold adjustments.

Check pressure. Check pumps. check mixing valve.

shane0007

yop wrote: »

Ouch pricey!

I didn't mean to purchase. Just for illustration purposes. You can hire them or borrow one.
I would purge the system anyhow, build back the running temps & check flow & return temps on each loop. Check mixing temps also.

yop

Thanks lads.
Must see if I can hire one.

Gulliver

This is a very interesting thread as I never knew about pressurisation. I'm a bit worried because our plumber filled from mains only - No pressurisation at all. Not his fault though, the original heating company left me in the lurch, he was only doing what he could to get it up and running.

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

Is it UFH upstairs and down?

upstairs is worse than down stairs?

Also, is it common for upstairs to not perform as well as downstairs? Our pump upstairs is very noisy (sounds like a waterfall) whereas you can't even hear the one downstairs until you're right beside it.

shane0007

It sounds more like you have a faulty/worn out pump on the upstairs circuit. Replace this & then evaluate the performance.