Spacesaver 38 - draining gravity hot water system????

[RobS8]

I am having problems with kettling from my boiler, a Glowworm Spacesaver 38.

I have purchased Fernox Restorer which i'll put in for a couple of days to see if it has any results.

The problem I have is that there is no drain point on the gravity hot water pipework and I am unable to find a drain on the boiler. I've tried to find schematics for the boiler, but believe that the boiler is that old that it was designed by a caveman on the wall of his cave, and thus, no schematics are available!!

I am confident I can drain off the rads ok, but am concerned that if I put the product into the header tank for the hot water I can't then get it out.

The questions are therefore:

1) Does anyone have any knowledge of a drain point on the spacesaver 38?

2) or any other way I could drain the gravity hot water system?

3) is the heat exchanger in this boiler, separate for hot water and heating?

Thanks

 

[noonespecial]

I am confident I can drain off the rads ok, but am concerned that if I put the product into the header tank for the hot water I can't then get it out.
Thanks

Not sure from the terminology you are using that you appreciate that the 'hot water' (domestic hot water that comes out of the taps) is different and completely separate to the 'heating water' .

The 'header tank' which serves the 'hot water' is the cold water storage cistern. Don't put Fernox Restorer in the cold water storage cistern whatever you do

If you haven't got adequate drain off valves then you could break a compression joint perhaps to drain the remainder of the water (it could make a mess though and make sure the water is not hot) and fit one.

 

[RobS8]

Don't worry wasn't going to put the Fernox in the hot water header tank, don't want to have a bath in it!

Had a good look at the system today and can't find any drain off valves near the boiler. In terms of breaking into the system near the boiler are there any other options available other than cracking a joint? Not keen on getting very wet in a refurb'ed house.

1) Could you freeze the pipes whilst installing the value. Not sure about this method as the pipes are about 30mm and I'm guessing it would take a lot of freezing and time would be of the essence.

2) Are there any products which can be bolted to the pipe and then screw into pierce the pipe to allow me to drain off and then fit a proper value when the systems dry?

3) If I install values to the hot water boiler flow and returns would they be man enough to take the heat? Compression or solder?

 

[noonespecial]

Had a good look at the system today and can't find any drain off valves near the boiler. In terms of breaking into the system near the boiler are there any other options available other than cracking a joint? Not keen on getting very wet in a refurb'ed house.

1) Could you freeze the pipes whilst installing the value. Not sure about this method as the pipes are about 30mm and I'm guessing it would take a lot of freezing and time would be of the essence.

2) Are there any products which can be bolted to the pipe and then screw into pierce the pipe to allow me to drain off and then fit a proper value when the systems dry?

3) If I install values to the hot water boiler flow and returns would they be man enough to take the heat? Compression or solder?

Yes 1 is an option. There are various DIY freeze kits I have seen but I don't know how good or bad they are.

Yes 2 is an option

3-assume you mean drain off valves and not isolating valves? You will probably only have to fit 1 No. as water will find its own level. Yes but suggest you get it from a reputable manufacturer