light brown stuff in hot water and radiators cold at bottom

[sherlock]

Hi
we have a gas system ideal elan 2 and live in a third floor flat which also happens to be the top floor of our building. For some time hot water tap in the bathroom has included some horrible light brown algae looking stuff. Sometimes worse than at other times. Now noticing it in kitchen hot water tap. a plumber looked at it a couple of months ago, went into the attic and reported that the tank in the attic looked okay, had some gunk in the bottom, but not terrible (old fashioned very large lead lined tank) He said that the stuff most probably came from the hot water tank in our kitchen.
Also, the radiators all over the house are hot only at the top. In addition two of them don't work at all. Is this a sludge problem. We had a plumber out today to change a tap and he says there is a machine for cleaning the sludge out. However, somebody I know had this machine last year and was not pleased with the results. Would it not be better to just take the radiators off and drain them out? What is the best way to treat this problem

 

[ollski]

Sounds as though it definitely needs powerflushing and maybe a new cylinder if the heating and hot water are cross contaminating. Mind you an old ideal elan and god knows what sort of header tanks it sounds like a replacement system might be worth considering.

 

[kevplumb]

sure it's not a primatic cylinder

 

[sherlock]

I have no idea what a primatic cylinder is (As you can see I'm a plumbers dream come true!)

 

[ollski]

See if there is a label on the cylinder it will tell you, or tell us how many tanks you have in the loft. I was presuming it isn't due to the fact you have already had a powerflush recommended.

 

[sherlock]

It says Hercal . Coil indirect cylinder plus some smaller writing, which I'd have to get on a ladder to read. there is only one tank in the attic. It's pretty large

 

[ollski]

don't worry it's indirect not primatic.....still may be a split coil though. Is there a lid on the tank? how high are the tanks in relation to each other??

 

[ChrisR]

is only one tank in the attic.

SHould be a smaller one somewhere too, for the heating.
???
About 2ft x 1ft x 1ft high.

 

[chrishutt]

...unless the CH is a sealed system?

 

[Nige F]

I have no idea what a primatic cylinder is (As you can see I'm a plumbers dream come true!)

What a Scot who will pay That`d be my wet dream