All set to get a new boiler and radiators, but hang on a second – should you replace your central heating pipework, too?
That’s a very good question. One I get asked more than you might think, actually!
Perhaps you’re just looking to replace your radiators, as your boiler was replaced 3 – 5 years ago and you’re going for a new system in stages, rather than just replacing everything at the same time. Or maybe you want to get everything done that needs done in one fell swoop.
The big question is: Will your pipework still be up to the job?
As an Edinburgh heating engineer with over 25 years’ experience, I’m going to tell you more about this subject below – including the advice I’d offer to my own customers in your shoes.
Should you replace your central heating pipework?
Typically, you should start looking at potentially replacing your central heating pipework if your boiler has run into any problems with kettling. Another sign is if your pipework is really hot at the boiler, but that same heat just isn’t getting through to the radiators.
Leaking or corroded pipework which has suffered pinhole leaks is another sure sign you’re better to replace your pipework. You may also have an old one-pipe system, or Truwell or metal/stainless steel (not copper). In which case, these pipes in particular are prone to corrosion.
I understand that budget is also a concern, so if you’re forking out £1,500 – £2,000 for new pipework, you’ll want to be sure you actually need it.
So, what are the signs that you should NOT replace your pipework?
Well, if everything gets hot and works normally, the chances are your pipework’s fine. If you want a new, more efficient boiler or better radiators, but everything else is working fine – again, you don’t need to change your pipework.
Advice from an experienced heating engineer
The best advice I can give you is to speak to a qualified, reputable engineer and get them to check out your system. They can carry out some tests to make sure you definitely need to replace your pipework.
I had a customer recently who wanted an entirely new system. However, upon inspection, the pipework was absolutely fine. All we had to do was replace the radiators and boiler, along with cleansing the pipework – it all worked like a dream.
Finally, this article wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention the upheaval that can come from replacing your pipework. It usually means having to lift floors and carpets – although you may have some crawl space which can make things a bit easier. Still, it’s often a dirty upheaval of a job – you could argue worth it, though.
Conclusion
Thanks for reading. Hopefully this blog has helped to answer some of your questions about whether you may have to replace your pipework along with the other work you’re having done. You can’t be sure until you get your pipework checked by a reliable, trusted and qualified engineer – they should be able to carry out the proper tests and tell you once and for all.
Do you have any specific questions about replacing pipework? If so, leave me a comment below. I’m always around to help!
