Axiom tank is getting low

that70sdad

I am not well versed on the subject of plumbing. I have an axiom tank that is getting quite low. I have a container of glycol that was left by the plumber who installed the system,but I have no idea if I am supposed to add glycol? Or do I add water? I really don’t want to make a thousands dollar mistake. If anyone has a suggestion,it would be very much appreciated.

Thanks

hot_rod

is the glycol container you have labeled?

It could be a premixed version which you could dump in. Or a version that needs to be diluted.

I would take a small sample of the fluid in the tank to get an idea of the freeze protection. A simple antifreeze tester like this is close enough. I like the meter type best.

Then check the fluid in the container.

Is this a snowmelt, or do you have exposed piping prone to freeze? A vacation home?

I would not use glycol unless absolutely necessary.

How old is the system? It really should not be needing additional fluid added.

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yellowdog

Call the plumber who installed the system. He will know exactly what you should do.

that70sdad

thanks for your reply. Yes,the container is labeled as Fernox Alphi-11 (central heating antifreeze with corrosion and limescale inhibitors)

Our system is 14 yrs old and is the in floor heating on the basement floor of our home. To my mind,there’s not really a reason for glycol. Our house is always climate controlled. It does get to -30c regularly in the winter,but no part of the system is required to melt snow as far as I’m aware.
on the antifreeze container I am unable to read the label that describes proper use. (It’s rubbed out significantly.

hot_rod

The best test for the condition of the glycol is a Ph meter or Ph test strips. If you determine which % you have, download the data sheet for Ph range. If it drops below 7 ph it may be time to flush it out and start over anyways.

14 years old is getting up there. But it depends how it was installed. A clean or dirty system for example, If any O2 has entered the system.

Fernox offers from 30- 100% blends in 5 gallon containers if that is what you have?

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mattmia2

You can also use something like this that will tell you both:

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Hercules-35271-Cryo-Tek-Anti-Freeze-Glycol-Test-Kit

pecmsg

A refractometer available on amazon will tell you the concentration.

that70sdad

thanks guys for the help. The tank is testing around 7. I will contact a plumbing/heating company in town and look at having the system flushed so we can have a new starting point for the maintenance.

Thanks for the advice it’s very much appreciated.

hot_rod

flush, run a cleaner to get any glycol coating off the internal surfaces, then refill