Recently took up an offer of an unwanted used radiator - less than 10 years old in a maintained sealed system. Looks like a generic basic double - no obvious branding.
However, whan I collected it the inlet/outlets were open/unbunged, and I gather it has been stored in that state indoors for about 2 years.
I'm concerned that the insides may be corroded and might damage my CH system. Would it be safe to use?
Start by putting a hose in it and flushing it out...and see what comes out
Was it dry, or was there still water in it?
If it was dry then I can't see a problem - might be a bit of surface corrosion if stored in damp conditions but otherwise it's just like any piece of steel - won't go spontaneously rusty unless there's moisture.
If it's wet and been stored open in a dry environment I'm surprised there's water still in it - would have thought it would have evaporated. Unless it's collected condensation maybe?
Do you know if it's been stored in a heated or unheated space? If in an outbuilding then temperature cycling could cause condensation (like dew).
THeo
There also may be some black sludge that has solidified during storage so it may also be advisable to fill it with water, bung up the inlet/outlet and leave it standing for a few days.
Before and during flushing with a hose (in both directions) hit the bottom of the radiator with a wooden mallet or rubber hammer to loosen any debris. This vibration with a rubber hammer is common practice when you get a power flush of a system.
Have you got a magnetic filter in the return pipe to the boiler? If so it's worth cleaning that out before and just after fitting a radiator. Often refilling a system stirs up the sludge/magnetite in the bottom of (all) radiators.
Great - thanks all. I'll give it a good going over before installing.
No, none fitted.
Seems dry. I suppose I was concerned that water had ponded somewhere and, while it has obviously evaporated by now, some nasty corrosion had set in that I can't see.
It's been stored in an indoor heated space.
Can you makeshift a connection to it from a mains outlet and close off the other end? Providing you have reasonable pressure in your area it won't be far of boiler pressure. Once you've cleaned it out as suggested this will show up any leaks or weaknesses.
Tips available if you search:
how to pressure test a domestic radiator
I found that clamping rads in my trusty B&D workmate allowed me to rock it to and fro with the hose clamped onto one fitting while wacking it with a rubber hammer too.
The residue makes good moss killer as I found out whilst flushing a couple of radiators on the front grass.
Brian
Fit one if you can. (one of) the best things since sliced bread.
Commercial moss killers tend to contain an iron salt, so the rusty gunge inside an old radiator would probably meet that requirement!
Verdone seems to do the job for me, but I think it has another name now ?
I don’t think Verdone is a moss kill. It’s for dandelions, daisies and other broad leaf weeds. Now called Weedol. Presumably by marketing folk too young to remember paraquat…
Tim
LOL. weed and feed is what i use - does moss as well.,
Years ago we had a CH power flush and the blokes directed the waste water from the system directly into the flower bed by our front door. Next year, we grew the biggest sunflower in the road from that spot.
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