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need to replace pipes to a radiator.
2 storey house, combi boiler.
this is a downstairs radiator, not sure there's a way to isolate up and downstairs.
so, my current vague plan is to close all radiators so i'm only dealing with what's in the pipes, close circuit off at the boiler, open taps in where i'm working and drain all that out, then cut and solder new lengths (bigger taller radiator going in).
there are some sort of bleed/purge valves but they are probably higher than the pipes i'm working on. supply to ground floor runs underneath in crawl space. i guess if needed for soldering, i could cut both pipes in the crawl space to drain out more water and just put in a service valve or re-join after.
is it as simple as that or am i missing something obvious?
is the circulating pump ususally in the combi boiler? should that get turned off to then? just the whole boiler i guess...
thanks
Sounds feasible. Check your downstairs rads...one or maybe all will have a tapping you can connect a hose to and once you've shut off all your rads you can open the tap and drain off the water in the pipes. Just remember to close it off afterwards and before you start to refill the system.
Just turn off the boiler, isolate the rads to reduce water and inhibitor. Get as much water out as possible as it will conduct heat away from the joint when soldering. Father in law who was a plumber used to shove balled up bread into the pipe to stop drips, this might have only been on hot / cold pipes where the bread could be forced out with water pressure.