There is the rub

[Blaydon]

Hi there. We had a problem with the Alde heating system which I thought I would share with you. We noticed the fluid level was dropping very slightly and over time seemed to be getting worse. Time to investigate. Alas too late, and the level plummeted when we were away a few weeks ago. Yes, during a cold spell. So parked up in a car park I took a look underneath. I could an inspection panel and 10 screws later (no comments please) I was able to get a view of the problem. One of the aluminium heating pipes had been rubbing against the edge of the floor and had cut through. I managed a ‘Get you home’ repair and frequent top ups of water meant we did not freeze.
I looked into permanently repairs.
I thought of Metal epoxy paste but the nice guy from Alde said it would not last long. The paste expands and contract at different rates to the aluminium and so over time the repair would let go.
I ended up buying a heavy duty 22mm internal bore hose and fitted quality wire hose clip top and bottom.
I then tracked the pipes and found they were not fastened in places which allowed for movement and so rubbing. I got some pipe lagging and made 40mm sections to ‘cushion’ the pipe. Once done I refilled the system with coolant and all has been fine.

So, if you have the time, space, skills and arms that can bend in three places in tight corners, take a look at your system to see if you need to prevent the same problem happening. This picture shows the hole in the pipe.
The other one shows the pipe dropping down between the two floors.
I hope this helps.

 

[Blaydon]

Hi there. We had a problem with the Alde heating system which I thought I would share with you. We noticed the fluid level was dropping very slightly and over time seemed to be getting worse. Time to investigate. Alas too late, and the level plummeted when we were away a few weeks ago. Yes, during a cold spell. So parked up in a car park I took a look underneath. I could an inspection panel and 10 screws later (no comments please) I was able to get a view of the problem. One of the aluminium heating pipes had been rubbing against the edge of the floor and had cut through. I managed a ‘Get you home’ repair and frequent top ups of water meant we did not freeze.
I looked into permanently repairs.
I thought of Metal epoxy paste but the nice guy from Alde said it would not last long. The paste expands and contract at different rates to the aluminium and so over time the repair would let go.
I ended up buying a heavy duty 22mm internal bore hose and fitted quality wire hose clip top and bottom.
I then tracked the pipes and found they were not fastened in places which allowed for movement and so rubbing. I got some pipe lagging and made 40mm sections to ‘cushion’ the pipe. Once done I refilled the system with coolant and all has been fine.

So, if you have the time, space, skills and arms that can bend in three places in tight corners, take a look at your system to see if you need to prevent the same problem happening. This picture shows the hole in the pipe.
The other one shows the pipe dropping down between the two floors.
I hope this helps.

Sorry. Second picture did not come out. Note, plastic pipe, cut down its length to act as barrier over the metal floor edge.

 

[DerryW]

Thanks for the heads up