Is is a good idea to change the water in boiler/radiators?

Joe.G

I was wondering if I should drain the water from my boiler and radiators every few years or so,and refill if fresh water, what are the pros cons of this? Thanks

hot_rod

Maybe, maybe not

Is this a hot water system? Any non barrier tubing in the system?

Draw a glassful. How's it look? How's it smell?.

If you have a tight (non leaking) system, and you don't open it up, or add additional water, allowing fresh, oxygenated, possibly hard water into it, then.... You should be fine.

Not a bad idea to draw a fluid sample and have it tested ocassionally. Check your Yellow Pages for water treatment companies that can run the tests for you. Find one with boiler and cooling tower experience, as they know what to test for.

There are numerous hydronic conditioner chemicals that can adjust, or buffer your fluid, if needed.

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Joe.G

Yeah I have hot water in my boiler and radaitors, if I take the water out by the drain in the boiler it comes out black and smell nasty.

Steamhead

Boiler needs cleaning

all that sludge may be blocking heat transfer, and this can shorten the life of the boiler. This is a job for a pro. Go to the Find a Contractor page of this site to find one near you.

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Joe.G

I can't just drain it at the boiler,open the auto feed and fill the system back up with water and bleed from teh top floor down? and then when I am done make sure the pressure is set at 12lb? thanks

Steamhead

It will probably take

much more than that if the boiler has a lot of sludge. Simply draining it probably won't be enough. Also, depending on what boiler you have, it may be possible to damage it by improper cleaning techniques.

That's why I suggest you contact a pro.

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Geno_13

Muck

will settle at the bottom so you drain off at the bottom and you should get maybe a shot of muck. If you drain the system and add fresh water, and with it oxygen, you'll only be starting the corrosion process all over. Drain a gallon and see if it clears up. If not or it really smells, bear in mind it's not supposed to smell fresh, call in a pro as the others said. It might be your water that's causing the problem in the first place. If your water has a high mineral content the same thing will happen again only this time it will be worse because you'll be adding oxygen when you refill.

Joe.G

The drain for the boiler is at the bottom, the reason I am asking this ? I don't think it has ever been done, new water has been added when we moved some raditors but we dod not drain much, the water is balck and has a odor to it.

hot_rod

It couldn't hurt

To have a cleaner run in the system, then flush and add a corrosion inhibitor. Some boiler guys use a 1% TSP solution to clean them out, some boiler installation manuals get into this procedure.

I prefer a hydronic system cleaner, a good flush, then refill with good fill water.

A squirt of conditioner is another good idea to protect the cleaned surfaces and maximize heat transfer. I use Rhomar brand cleaners and conditioners.

As Steam H mentioned, you may need a pro with a transfer pump and knowledge on how to assure all loops and zones have been cleaned and flushed adequatly.

www.rhomarwater.com

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