Non barrier pipe - options other than replacing it?

[beesley121]

Hi guys,

have a customer that's having problems with sludge in the system. System is a conventional system with non barrier pipe throughout. Other than replacing the radiators and piping completely, are there any other options

i have thought of a few but just think its a waste of time but would like your opinions

1. Leave as is and just Powerflush and install magnacleanse
2. As above but replace radiators
3. Powerflush and replace rads with aluminum rads
4. Replace the lot

 

[Atouchofgas]

Non-barrier is going to let oxygen in so, always going to have an issue with sludge. Best option is to replace the lot

 

[Chalked]

Once you try cleaning you will disturb the dried on sludge. This falls of the surface of the non barrier pipe and blocks everything. Nothing yet dissolves it. Two real options, 1 walk away. 2 re-pipe.

 

[albatross]

There was once a theory about overdosing with inhibitor on non barrier pipe. Speak to sentinel or fernox.

 

[Ermintrude]

Why replace rads? They made of non barrier steel? Can system be pressurised?

 

[beesley121]

Why replace rads? They made of non barrier steel? Can system be pressurised?

Could you explain what you mean?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

Could you explain what you mean?

rads can be cleaned(if not totally blocked),then replace pipework,fior good old copper preferably

 

[Ray Stafford]

Could you explain what you mean?

I took it to mean "its not the radiators that are letting the oxygen in, so why replace them?"

In desperation, if replacing the pipework was incredibly difficult or expensive, I might look at the aluminium rad option. But the real problem is oxygen ingress across the non-barrier pipe. And its almost always better to fix the cause than to treat the symptoms.

 

[Ermintrude]

Yep just flux rads. Oxygen will saturate water less readily when water is under pressure and oxygen not.

 

[stratplus]

Non barrier pipe on a heating system? what does that mean? ive only ever known barrier pipe (plastic) isnt anything else just condense?

 

[Ermintrude]

No in early days plastic pipe was a crude pipe, now it's a multi layered affair. It's just the installers who are crude now!