Quote:
Originally posted by hot_pastrami
My best guess is clogged pipes, but if I'm rigt, I have no idea how to resolve that.
|
Start by following the pipes. Pipe comes out of furnace, loops at base of outside walls, and returns to furnace. Pipe returning the furnace should remain quite warm. If not, then assume a clog - which can be from many sources listed below.
Within less than a minute of when thermostat calls for heat, then pipes should start 'cracking' as heat immediately arrives. If not, then you know that loop is not working. But how many loops are there? Again you must learn this - powerful information for any homeowner that does not want to spend massive bucks on trivial problems.
Blockage can be a stuck valve, calcium restriction, sediment, air bubble, or even a bad impeller in the pump.
Sediment. Somewhere at the lowest end of a loop is a valve - probably with threading for a hose. Open that valve to flush sediments from the pipe - sampling the water into a bucket to see how cleans. It should be very clean. Just like they do in the spring to open fire hydrants. Flush those pipes maybe every five years.
Air bubble. No matter how many times those lines are bleed, air is still released from water. At highest point of each loop is usually an automatic air bleed valve. Especially if in high calcium water, then this valve might be clogged. Otherwise there is a mechanical bleed valve to empty air from the line. If pipe has an air bubble, then water pumps will never pump hot water through that line. Air bubbles are just as restrictive as sediment.
Having eliminated those two blockages, now the diagnosis and solution gets more complicated - too complex to discuss here without on-site examination. IOW that is what the professional is for - with you there to watch and learn.