Draining water from your heating system, typically radiators, involves a sequence of steps to safely remove the old water.
Draining water from a heating system generally requires turning off the power and water supply, isolating the section you wish to drain, and using a controlled method to remove the water.
Steps for Draining Water from Your Heating System
Based on the provided reference, the process of draining water from your heating system can be broken down into several key stages:
1. Turn Off Your System and Cut the Water Supply
- Action: Before beginning any work, switch off your central heating system completely.
- Safety: Allow the radiators sufficient time to cool down to prevent burns.
- Supply: It is also crucial to cut off the main water supply to the heating system.
2. Isolate the Radiator from Your Heating System
- Purpose: To drain only a specific radiator or section without affecting the entire system immediately, you need to isolate it. This usually involves closing the valves at both ends of the radiator.
3. Bleed All of Your Radiators
- Why: Bleeding radiators releases any trapped air within them. While this step is often done separately to improve heating efficiency, it can also help prepare the system for draining by removing air pockets. You will need a radiator key for this. Place a cloth or container underneath the bleed valve to catch any water.
4. Loosen the Union Nuts
- Location: Union nuts are typically found connecting the radiator valves to the radiator itself.
- Action: Carefully loosen these nuts. This is where water will begin to release, so be prepared with containers or towels.
5. Attach a Hose and Drain Your System
- Connection: Once a connection point (like a drain-off valve, if available, or a loosened union) is ready, attach a suitable hosepipe.
- Direction: Direct the other end of the hose to a drain or outside area where the water can be safely discharged.
- Process: Allow the water to drain out. This process may take some time depending on the size of your system or the radiators you are draining.
Following these steps helps ensure that you can effectively remove water from your heating system when necessary for maintenance or repair.
