Single pipe systems - can I reverse the flow

[JohnHa]

I have a single pipe system retrofitted to a 1930's house. It is powered by a condensing gas boiler.

As expected, the radiators get cooler the further they are from the boiler.

It occurred to me that if I fitted a "crossover switch" between the punp and the radiators I could send the water through the radiators one way and then switch over and send it the other way. The intent would be to get more heat out of the distant radiators.

Has anyone tried it?

 

[Timmy D]

If install correctly, and we have no reason to think otherwise. Diverter tees would have been used, so reversing the flow is a no go.

If you spend time and balance the system properly, it will work.

 

[JohnHa]

Thank you.

I am sorry but I am not sure I understand your post. I have swept tees at each end of each radiator so surely it doesn't matter which way the flow comes from - the sweep is always correct?

 

[oz-plumber]

Maybe do a test on the system and see if it works.

Would be an interesting exercise

 

[cjg]

one pipe symtem is feed in. drag out down the line, if you balance the water right its works fine. its when some one just puts new rads on and does not know how it works the rad will not work,

 

[Chuck]

I have swept tees at each end of each radiator so surely it doesn't matter which way the flow comes from - the sweep is always correct?

I haven't seen your system so you may be correct. I suspect, however, that if you scrutinise the tees you'll find that they are different with each radiator having a splitter on its flow and a combiner on its return.