Hi team

New house and I'm trying to understand the heating system that was put in by the previous owners....

Boiler, unvented cylinder, rads and wet underfloor heating = quite a maze of pipes that I'm unfamiliar with. I'm good with plumbing generally but this install has got me a bit flummoxed..

I have two expansion vessels, one white which YouTube tells me is for potable water, and a red coming off the bottom of the cylinder. It comes off the coil circuit (with no isolation), the pipe it's running from connects to a zone valve and other pipes heading to the underfloor manifold.

Specifically I need to remove the red tank, put an elbow on the pipe and refit the expansion vessel (it's in the way of something)

There's a drain and I can isolate the boiler side - but if I drain the loop, might I be draining the rads and the underfloor heating?

Are there any experts that might be able to assist?

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Still digging around, looks like my cylinder is pre-plumbed exactly like this

Click image to enlarge

Morning Greg

Have you considered using a pipe freezing kit such as Rothenberger from a hire shop? (HSS)

Looks from the photo as if there may be sufficient space for the sleeves. If not an Arctic kit is available with flexible sleeves which may also suit. The fridge kit is expensive to hire, about £100 for the weekend, but reliable whereas the Arctic kit could be purchased for future use. Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

That's so weird Richard, I opened my computer to search for freezing kits!
Snap!

Done a fair share of plumbing but never used one. Searching now! Ta!

. Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Definite lack of isolators, despite soooooo much pipework

If I can get it off without drama any reason why I shouldn't put a Flexi on it with an isolator?
I need to move or rotate the tank and a Flexi off the existing compression might be the easiest.
. Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

but wierd!

I used the HSS Rothenberger last October to replace TRVs on some rads and install shutoff valves for future works. Worked perfectly.

Can't see any reason not to use a flexi. I use a booster pump for garden watering from the rain tank and it came fitted with a flexi from the manufacturer. I've also seen them on commercial installations for heating and AC.

It may not be best practice, but I would fit a lever action ball valve with the handle wired in the open position when refitting the expansion unit. You can bet your bottom dollar the bladder will leak sometime and the unit will need replacing

And fit some more isolators where you feel the may be beneficial while you have the freezing kit. Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT

Job done - went to Toolstation and bought an Arctic Pro Freeze Kit - last one they had at a 'when it's gone it's gone' offer, £40

And £40 well spent too - froze the stem of the pipe, whipped off the iron and replaced with a Flexi with integral ball valve. Expansion tank relocated and cabinets now installed.

First time I've frozen a pipe and it worked well - used a fair bit more gas than should have as it was fighting warm water left in the tank, despite switching it off there hours prior.

Topped up that circuit with filling loop which is located (next to) the cylinder - this set up all new to me, I'm used to combi's.

Thanks Richard  Cheers, Greg
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2011 Vogue SE 4.4 with lots of toys in Stornaway

Great that it worked for you.

I have not used the Arctic system but from your info it would be well worth it for any future jobs, especially as it means being able to do the work as and when necessary. May have to add it to my wanted list. Cheers
Richard

(there are no such things as an ordinary FullFat, an ordinary cat or too many tools)
2011 TDV8 Vogue Santorini Black
Gap IIDBT