You want to come from work or running errands and want to get into a hot shower, right?
However, your hot water heating system does not have enough water. What do you do?
Of course regular maintenance of a hot water heating system is necessary if you want to keep enjoying those hot showers.
It can only be for two reasons as to why you must add water to your hot water system.
One, your boiler is out of water, and two, you want to do some maintenance. Whatever the reason, you must do it the right way.
If you have no clue of where to start, a little patience and attention to this guide gives you the know-how necessary to keep your hot shower running every time, be it winter, summer, a cold evening, you know? All the time.
let’s go!
Closed systems
Most hot water systems are closed, and the water circulates through the pipes into the boiler.
Some units have two pipes linked to each zone, with one running the hot water to the room, whereas the second one circulates cold water back to the boiler for reheating.
Adding water to the heating system
Preliminary checks
Before you can add any amount of water, some things must be checked. You do not want to make mistakes here. Follow this procedure.
- Review the manufacturer’s recommendations
First, go through the user manual, especially if this is your first time adding water to your heating system. The manufacturer’s recommendations are a good premise for your operation.
- Inspect your boiler to ascertain the blow-off valve is shut. Ensure that the hand hole covers or washout plugs are tight and in place.
- Ensure that all the air vents on all radiators are closed
The process of adding water to the hot water heating system demands that you keep off air from entering and getting trapped within the system.
Filling the water
- Open all the valves in the circulating lines
This also includes the valves on the boiler’s supply and return lines, the suction, and the discharge valve, not forgetting the shut-off valves at various branch lines.
- Move over to the vent valve on top of the boiler and open it to allow water in
It would be best if you left this vent valve open until the boiler’s water levels are within the required limits.
- Once you fill the boiler, shut the vent valve
Depending on the type of the heating system you have, and the size of your house, you can open the vent on every radiator or convector, each at a time, to allow the water to flow out, then close the vent.
- Repeat this process in the entire building until all the radiators and convectors are full
- If your system has an open expansion tank, fill it to about one-third full, then shut the makeup water valve. Once you fill the system properly, the altitude gauge should tell you the minimum system pressure. Should the operating pressure drop below the minimum below the recommended standard, your system may lose water.
- If your system has a closed expansion tank, the valve linking the connecting line between the tank and the system should be open. You should see the gauge on the lower part of the tank once it’s full.
- If you have a closed system with an automated fill valve, do not shut it after filling. The minimum pressure in the heating system remains constant based on the automated fill valve’s pressure setting.
See? There is nothing complex about it.
Now, let’s say you are adding water to the boiler only. If it has been isolated from the heating system by shut off valves, you must refill it before reconnecting it back.
Where do you start? Having gone through your user manual, consider this simple procedure.
- Firstly, open your boiler’s vent as well as the makeup water supply; once the water is out, shut the vent valve.
- Shut-off valves in both the supply and return lines. At the same time, all the valves in all zones of the system ought to be open.
- Open every vent valve in the system, each at a time, until the water flows out, then close them. ALWAYS start at the lowest level and work your way up; sounds familiar, right? You will be bleeding the air out of the system, a necessary step for optimal performance.
- Move to the expansion tank and check your water levels to ascertain if it’s the right amount.
- Once your boiler is full, and the air is completely out of every vent, you can shut the makeup valve. However, do not close it manually if you have an automated makeup valve. If you have one of those, leave it open, it’ll do its ‘thing.’
Post-filling checks
You want to be thorough with everything pertaining to your hot water system.
Once you add the water to the required levels, consider these post-filling checks before restarting the system.
- Check the manufacturer’s recommendations for the system start.
- Inspect everything, and especially the boiler, to ascertain the blow-off valve is shut. Hand hole covers or washout plugs should be tightly in place.
- Ascertain from the altitude gauge and the expansion tank that the system is filled properly.
- Close the manual shut-off valves in the fuel lines and the main burner.
- Check the operating temperature settings to ensure it’s within the normal parameters.
- Once you ascertain that everything is within the usual operating standards, you can restart your hot water heating system.
Conclusion
You can now enjoy your hot showers if you pay attention to the tips in the above guide. If you do not fancy doing this by yourself, then look for someone else, but it doesn’t hurt to know how to go about this situation.
You can always refer to this guide and ascertain every aspect of the process. You ensure everything works optimally. Enjoy your hot showers.
Wondering how to size your water heater correctly? We have this article researched and written for you!