HOW TO DRAIN DOWN HEATING SYSTEMS - GRAVITY FED - Plumbing Tips

Links to the tools I use everyday here: www.amazon.co.uk/shop/plumberparts Plus, follow my Vlog “TimesWithJames”: youtube.com/c/timeswithjames

Thanks James. I have been doing my first en-suite rip our at home and finally plucked up the courage to fit a new radiator! Thanks to your really helpful videos I was able to drain the system down, re-do the pipework, top the system back up again and even add some inhibitor to the system. Thanks again!! Hold Tight!!

I usually latch the levers on the motorised valve(s) to the mid/manual position to help draining and refilling as well. Thanks for another spectacular vid PP. Hold tight!!!!!

Good video and just helped me drain down my central heating and stop a leak until a proper plumber can replace the length of pipe. Thanks for the clear instructions. Keep up the good work.

Thanks for all the advice and knowledge you give. My sytem is a Y plan system and what's happening is the overhead tank is over filling with water coming through the feed pipe at the bottom of the overhead tank. Will be very great full for your help

Thank you so much for your videos buddy they’re the best out there. I have learnt a lot watching them and your tip about filing the radiator bleed key was a brilliant idea!! Works a treat. And the tip on putting inhibitor into the radiator on one of your other videos is a cracking idea!! Top bloke 👍🏻 keep them coming.

Hi, great video. Does this technique drain the entire system including the flow and return pipes at the boiler? I need to remove the flow pipe to replace the flow switch o ring. Thanks in advance

another great video me and friend will be doing work next week and feel more happy about draining down system thank you plumberparts

Hi. Great vids and used on other issues. But, I need to re-do a pipe leg to a ground floor radiator as too short. How do you drain the pipes under the suspended floor boards of the ground floor if the drain valve is higher up by the rad? Cut into the pipe and catch as much water as possible? Is there anyway to siphon etc?

Thanks for the video. I've managed to drain down the rads from the upper floor successfuly. When i open the bleed valves on any of the downstairs rads, water comes out from the bleed valve instead of air being sucked in!Have checked that both valves on the rad were open. Have i missed something?

Hi thanks for the video. I have 4 rads downstairs, one has been removed ready to put on a trv.To empty the system i removed another radiator nearest to the front door so i could attach a hosepipe, i opened all the bleed valves upstairs and they emptied fine but 2 rads downstairs remained full of water. Any idea why this is please ? I gambled and removed the old valves and put on a new lockshield and trv but I expected water from the remaining rads to come gushing through . Thanks

Awesome video thanks for your hard work. Is it nessesary to turn off the gas when draining out an F&E system?

Does the motorized valve not also need to be locked open when draining?

Hi,having a problem with kettling at the moment, what can i do if i cant find any drain valves on the bottom floor, also ,if i empty the system can i just add an inhibitor or do i need a cleaner also, many thanks

What about turning off the water to the radiator tank do you have to do that as well?

Thanks pal. Your videos helped me fit my first radiator.

PP, if I isolated the valve as shown would that not just isolate my secondary water not my primary? Would it be easier to pop into the loft and tie ball cock up?

Cheers for the vid mate. Wondering if you can help. I turned my hot water off with the red stop tap in the hot water tank cupboard. Anyway done the job i needed to do and turned the tap in the cupboard back on. Anyway the tap in the cupboard just keeps turning and will not stop turning. I tried to turn it the other way and it just does the same. I have no hot water coming out of my taps the heating is fine. Just wondering do i need to change this stop tap and use this system before hand. I thought it was an air lock at first tried all the methods but i am pretty sure now it is this stop tap. What do you think.

Hi, please can you do a vid or explain how to drain a combi boiler? Where is the best place to drain from? I have two drain valves, one on my boiler and one on my downstairs rad... do i need to add inhibitor to the system when filling again? I am changing a radiator in the bathroom, and was told to add inhibitor direct to the new rad?.... please advise cos you're the best! 😊

Hi James, how about a situation where the pipework for the downstairs rads is under the floors and thus below the level of the radiators. How would one get the water out of the lower pipes?