Avoiding water leaks in a new Heating Installation

[Opel Fruit<P><BR>Opel Fruit, Dept. 53<P>]

A couple of people have asked about avoiding water leaking all over their new renovation and decoration when the time comes to fill the system for the first time.

With the best will in the world, there is likely to be a couple of bad solder joints or a compression joint left undone by mistake. 

The way the trade do it is to fill it with air first. Only use about 20-30 psi, and you will need a compressor.

There are two advantages to this. Firstly, it avoids filling with water and thus making resoldering nigh impossible. Secondly, it is generally easy to hear the leak.

Once the system has been tested this way and any rework done, we charge the system with air and release one of the radiator blanking plugs - this clears out any dust or solder balls. With gusto.

Make sure you be careful!