How to Add Inhibitor to a Central Heating System - Quick and Easy Method

[@kchello6533]

I put inhibitor to my heating system last month. Instead of making a special tool like yours, I pour the inhibitor direct via the vent of the towel rack in my bathroom, the vent holes of towel rack are usually at the top rather at the side, hence we can pour the inhibitor without any special tool. Firstly, I drained the water in the towel rack down like you did, then poured the inhibtor into the rack at the top with the help of a small funnel. This could be a simpler method to most layman like me.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Yep for those with a towel rad this is the way

[@thedeadpres]

Undoing the bottom connections would stress me out too much, I'd probably just get narrow flexible hose and use the siphoning principle to the water out (measuring of course). Then there's less chance of post-filling leaks.

[@gbmpr229]

That's the way I do it too.

[@BaigPicture]

Amazing, this was my plan with similar gadgets😊

[@jimhignett6993]

I use the magna filter reservoir. It comes off easy. Just empty it an refill with inhibitor repeat if necessary.

[@robertstopford1016]

This guy is absolutely brilliant! A natural explainer.

[@fostexfan160]

Best vid I've ever seen on the subject!. No boring introductions or explanations, straight into it and very professional. Well done

[@tilerman]

This is what youtube was made for. Bloody brilliant stuff, cheers mate!

[@BaigPicture]

Well buddy KZbin was actually made to make money but these are bonuses 😊

[@swift_learn]

Its two quid extra for one with an end on it in the shops 😂

[@meeruisland]

I am happy with plumbing, but i have to add if i was not i would come here, your steps and guidance are so simple to understand and showing the piece of the rad would help others some fly by these yours are perfect

[@Islandteacherwkbx]

Great video! After discovering what a waste of money my Corgi plan is , I have found these videos brilliant. Thank you.

[@piggymito]

19 years in the trade, never thought of doing this. I usually use a hose with a rad tail and a funnel. I really like this idea as there's now risk of spilling any. Thanks!

[@CL55AMG]

Best DIY video I've seen in ages. Clear and easy explanations, plus definitely making up one of the filling pipes, which is far better than the plastic one I purchased. Look forward to seeing more videos. Great job 🙂

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks

[@michaelricks1618]

A really great tip and wonderfully clear explanation and demonstration. Excellent video camera work and editing, too! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@richardthomas5454]

Your descriptions are always really clear and easy to follow. What I like is the explanation of why each step is essential and what happens and what to do if it doesn't go as planned. Sure you wasn't a technical instructor in your past life?

[@allancopland1768]

I add inhibitor via my FERNOX TF-1 magnetic separator. It's far less palaver. No messing around with rads.

[@MultiQueen1111]

Do you mean pouring inhibitor to magnetic filter? I can't google magentic separator

[@sydsnott5042]

Excellent videos. Im an avid fan of the Adey Pro MagnaClean. Simplicity itself to introduce an inhibitor to the system. No need to touch a radiator. Just drain off some water from the boiler. Remove the top of the Adey Pro and pour straight from the bottle into the Adey Pro chamber. Using an inhibitor and the Adey Pro my system is ultra clean. The yearly inspection/service clearly shows this when the Adey Pro top is taken off and on the 'magnet' there's nothing and the water in the system is almost drinkable.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

👍 thanks for sharing

[@bobtahoma]

Everyone should install one of these. They pay for themselves in no time.

[@PHNX0]

Just seen your comment after writing the same method myself. My plumber showed me how to do it (before he moved out of the area). As you say, simplicity itself.

[@timniven9461]

Probably one of the most useful tips I've seen in a while. Thanks ..

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonnyallen1232]

I use a garden weed sprayer, put an adapter on the end pump it into the top of a rad or filling loop job done

[@johnadams1976]

Great video. I did exactly this in the summer when I took every radiator outside and cleaned them out! 24 rads!!! Remember, 1 bottle of inhibitor might not be enough... They say how many rads they typically do on the bottle. Also remember it doesn't last forever.... I usually drain my system, replace the inhibitor and top up with new water every 3 years.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks for sharing 👍

[@KeithChegwin24]

Out of interest -- I know it's a how long is a piece of string question -- how much do you think a plumber who have charged you to remove 24 rads, clean them out, refit and balance the system? I wasn't aware they needed cleaning that often, mine haven't been done at all in 17yrs, so I'm a bit concerned now...Although, never had any dramas with them.

[@privatenoone8911]

Today's radiators are too thin and restrictive . Old radiators (Mison style? ) never needed cleaning or inhibitors. Parents house central heating still working after 50 years when we sold it after they passed.

[@straty5598]

​@@KeithChegwin24That's a lot of radiators, Buckingham palace by any chance?

[@Subgunman]

The optimum liquid to refill the system with would be deionized or distilled water. Also there is no reason one could not use automotive radiator fluid in the system. It too has rust inhibitors in it. It might be cheaper than a specialized radiator inhibitor.

[@johnchampion7819]

I agree with all of tye comments below - a very good video with clear explanations of what is going on. Your channel is a great help to all of us DIY plumbers.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Much appreciated!

[@bipinmistry3590]

One of the best and most useful DIY central heating plumbing videos I have seen. Thanks. ❤👍

[@paulturner9958]

what a bloody marvellous video. Sort of thing everyman should know.

[@jablot5054]

Or woman.

[@eddiemcboofin1917]

I'm a man and I'm sick of knowing everything about DIY. I'd rather kick back and let women do it

[@kevinthegerman1]

Never heard of the plumb tub before, that's on the shopping list. Another great video, thanks and well done.

[@jayseabie215]

Alternatively if you have a towel rad in your bathroom just pour it in the top with a funnel, no need for that fancy tool. Also no carpet to get wet either!

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Yeah your right however this is a more generic method in a sense as not everyone has towel rads

[@geoffcarlton4047]

Came here to say this, so much easier

[@stuartday1876]

This is what I do too.

[@KeithChegwin24]

The highest radiator in the house, or doesn't it matter?

[@anyat686]

I thought the magnetic stick 🧲 thing went into bathroom towel rail. ?

[@jonbretro4596]

Interesting approach. I simply isolate the header tank (vented system), drain the tank, then chuck the inhibitor in the tank and open the isolation valve.

[@barrywatts8501]

Yeah that's what I thought was they way it was put in lol

[@KKTR3]

Don’t you take out from the system more than just what’s in the head of tank? I like to make sure that I’m not only empty the tank. I also empty the system of quite a bit of water then using a pipe feed it directly into the outlet from the head tank and the container contents will be sucked right down into the Central Heating system.

[@chrismurphy4724]

That was a great instructional video - thank you

[@lnby]

Great tip and video bud. Another way is adding inhibitor via the magnetic filter hopper which most have these days. I plan to remove my sludge filled rads in the summer fkr w good clean thanks to your videos.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

👍👍

[@TeeTee-zm2re]

​@@TheDIYGuy1do a video on how to clean magnetic filter?

[@martinfox3478]

Great video !!! I would also suggest removing the radiator covers before doing this job for 2 reasons. First, it actually gives more room, especially for pushing toweling etc around the bleed valve. Secondly, it avoids scratching them - I noticed that there was a lot of scratching around the cover over that top plug.

[@PHNX0]

If you’ve got a magnetic filter attached to your boiler/CH system it’s even easier. Just close the in & out valves. Unscrew the top and pour in the inhibitor. No tool manufacturing required! Otherwise this is a great video and technique for those who don’t have one.

[@TheDIYGuy1]

👍

[@mattevans608]

Just used this vid to put inhibitor into my system for the first time; made a pipe tool siilar to yours which resulted in minimal spillage -other spillage still happened due to other reasons, but oh well. Definitely recommend this method for anyone inexperienced with heating systems. One question I would ask is how long should I wait until I next put inhibitor in my system? Should it be every X amount of time, or only when I start to see problems again?

[@amazing451]

I think this has to be one of your best tips yet Cameron. Great video, see you soon.👍👍

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@kevind7150]

Good tip, thanks. I use a 22mm socket to undue the blank plug. It reduces the risk of marking the radiator paint.

[@neilmckie2768]

I have to say, mate, that you bang out some excellent videos. I've found loads of useful info which I've put to good use, so thank you very much

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Your welcome 🙏

[@jansmit4628]

Using the normal used filling position would also work. Connect the filling hose to the CV side and fill the hose from the other end with the inhibitor fluid, then connect it to the closed water fill tap which you use for normal filling. Open the tap a little, then open the valve on the CV side. The inhibitor will be pushed in the CV system, followed by regular tap water. No special tooling needed and no possibility on radiator leaks at the end.

[@Tom-le2px]

How often should you be adding inhibitor and or topping up in the system, do you need to use the full container? Another informative video , thank you 😊

[@alanproctor9316]

To refill the rad, i usually only open the TRV until it's filled then open the lockshield, as for the filling tool, i used a fitting for the rad blank to copper then upright to a 54 x 15 reducer as a funnel.

[@davidbridge3542]

Ive been doing this task for over 40 years and its always good to watch someone else show their method. Spot on demonstration. Ticked every box for me. Well done. Ps I might have used a tank connector in the bottle cap ??

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks a lot. Yep a tank connector would work a treat

[@richardlewis5316]

If the house has a towel rail there is no need to make up a filler with a flexi hose as the inhibitor can be tipped into the top of the towel rail after it has been drained. I always like to hear new tips eeven after 30 years!!

[@foyz1690]

Thank you for this video, I am adding 7 new radiators and didn't know about this stuff. Really appreciate this knowledge as I am newbie

[@Falco45able]

Thanks for the tip fella , did exactly that today, stay lucky, stay safe! 😉

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks, you too!

[@george9710]

Clever little tool! You could use a funnel ( you can get one that has a plastic flexible hose at the end ) but it's a lot messier than what you showed so I'll be making one of these for sure!

[@conradsmith7752]

Love these tips and short cuts. Reminds me of the series of short programme in the eighties that provided tips for DIYers and tradesmen

[@stanlee5766]

This is a really good way of filling up with inhibitor thank you. You mentioned the “balancing of the radiators” how do you do this please. Thanks.

[@manitobaMOOSE44]

Once again thank you for another amazing video, I very much appreciate all your help on our DIY jobs 👍🏻😎

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Very welcome

[@simonwestwood8368]

Can you please elaborate on balancing the rads. You counted the number of turns out on the left hand side valve so as to put it back in the same open position. Surely adjusting the thermostatic valve on the right hand side also effects balancing?

[@allancopland1768]

No, it doesn't. Check out a video on balancing.

[@KelticStingray]

The mag filter at the boiler is a really good dosing point for this.

[@liquidmuse6941]

Some really good information here and well presented. You're a credit to the old school KZbin videos

[@CJTODAY85]

thank you, for that tip sorted several ie inhibitor and dropping rad forward to paint behind..

[@MansurMoinoddin]

Thanks for your supporting video

[@nevn8912]

Or go to a bathroom heated towel rail, shut it down , undo one of the top facing blank or bleed nuts. Stick a 10mm pipe in and remove a litre. Then simply place a funnel and slowly pour in the inhibitor. Only a spanner and funnel required.

[@mikeonfreeserve2926]

My wife would like to adopt you. She remembers watching videos with plumbers. 😮

[@mikeywatson7171]

Not sure about Sentinel, but most other brand bottles are the same size as an AdBlue nozzle thread. Then a couple turns of PTFE on the spigot side and it fits snugly into the rad thread 👍🏻

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Interesting 👍 cheers

[@soyabean911]

Brill vid, and a quality plumber. Very informative, expertly explained and demonstrated. 👌🏼

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@matthewhill7946]

Top video gezza, With your help watching this and other ones I've managed to help my mom with her changes to her new bungalow, renovated bathroom kitchen and the living room so thanks again 10/10

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Your welcome 🙏

[@Buckleyswoodturning]

Why are the best ideas so simple?👍

[@sevenodonata]

Plumberparts and The DIY Guy - both everyday nice guys 👍

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks. James’ channel is brilliant too isn’t it. Hoping to collab together this year

[@Tony6296]

Awesome info, I've always wondered if there was an easier way of adding inhibitor fluid to a rad, know I now - thanks pal!

[@hughjass8430]

If you have loft tanks (FnE) is it possible to just put the inhibitor in that tank? I had a leak in the system last year and that method temporarily solved. Now I have a new central heating system with no leaks, would the water/inhibitor just sit in the loft tank and not actually go thru the system?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

It’s less effective in the tank. It can take an age to circulate.

[@neiljay]

I empty my FnE tank, clean it out, stick a section of hosepipe into the FnE tank outlet then pour the inhibitor into the hosepipe. Then turn the water feed back on. Horses for courses !

[@jnoonanuk]

Hi great video! Perfect for what I need. I'm replacing a radiator and need to add inhibitor, i was gonna add a 1 litre bottle? Us that too much, would 500ml be better? Can you add too much? How much is too much? Thanks 😊

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Just out of interest how often should you replace inhibitor or is it just if some or all of the circulating water has been emptied and refilled. Thanks

[@TheDIYGuy1]

I suggest every year, two max. However if any work has been done such as a drain down then sooner 👍

[@robinjones2054]

Great video, expertly explained. Can I ask how often should you add inhibitor?

[@leemajor1820]

Great video. Always wondered how it was done. Definitely going to make one of those tools as I'm going to need it for future jobs 👍

[@dmb1234]

You've taught me so much and saved me so much money - just wanted to say cheers for that!

[@oldschoolplumber]

I’m genuinely uncertain about these videos. To a professional, this is a straightforward job. You make it sound and look easy, which unfortunately gives the average DIY enthusiast the confidence to undertake such a task. However, in reality, they often fail because you can’t buy experience from a video! The number of callouts I attend because of videos like this is astronomical. But thanks, you’re keeping me busy!

[@KeithFahy-z8i]

Hi I got rid of the black stuff from all my radiators by taking off all 9 of my radiators and flushing out with a hose I put all the radiators back tightened up all the valves as you said in your video you open the air valve before putting in the inhibitor do I do this to all 9 of my radiators or just the one thank you in advance by the way keep up the good work👍

[@najm6600]

Great video! Do you need to switch off the boiler before carrying this out?

[@TheBuckspygmy]

I just drained the radiator and used a syringe to inject the inhibitor left by removing the bleed screw. Tedious but it worked.

[@04williamsl]

Thanks! Can I just check if there's a particular radiator you should use? i.e the highest one in the house etc? Or does it not matter?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Your welcome. It doesn’t matter 👍

[@ejoneswales]

Very well explained, even with the sound muted. Keep up the good work.

[@glenbraithwaite7767]

as normal clear,precise,and to the point instructions!! ....top man😊

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad it helped!

[@mitchelwilliams3287]

This is the best video on this 👍

[@paulwilliams8536]

If you have a magnaclean, which most modern systems should have you can isolate the magnaclean drain it, clean the magnet of any debris fill with inhibitor and reseal the magnaclean before opening the isolator valves and turn on your boiler to circulate the inhibitor

[@hrhsii2]

Nice concise video. Can you take some water out using the hose outlet on the boiler filling loop? Then top up using a towel radiator if you have one?

[@Mankey1234]

Really liked the inhibitor adapter, very useful!

[@dal23gate]

Great Video, very helpful. how often should you add the inhibitor on a combi boiler? will plumbers do this on a service every 12 months, don't know if mine has any at all ? how can you tell.

[@mylesgoward5954]

Hey buddy. Can you give me some advice if I permanently want to cap off a radiator in my kitchen would it be best practice to join the existing pipes together for flow. Or can I just cap them off? 🤔

[@alanwallis2467]

Great video. As always,easy to follow and understand. I've never done this job before but I will now. Thanks 👍👍

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad to help. Thanks

[@gerryquinn5224]

Great tip. What length and internal bore is your flexi connector?

[@JCJC650]

I started using a £8 hand pump (fuel transfer pump) through the top of the rad to drain slightly more than the additive volume as there is less risk of a leak from a damaged olive that way.

[@gsyguy1]

I always use my wet/dry hoover, with a towel under the valves and then a Funnel with a short but long enough piece of hose .end of the funnel fit into hose, hose goes into top of rad/towel rail usually as much that can go in 6 to 12 inches depending on rad and fill take seconds ,but that is handy and tbh i doubt i'll ever use it, I may far far into the future have a need for something similar and as an old school plumber i have made many gadgets to get around situations many are single use but have come in handy for another situation...

[@TheDIYGuy1]

👍👍

[@adriancastle9229]

Great idea, but how is the bottle vented as it will pull a partial vacum and come out very slowly if at all?🤔

[@paulhealey2984]

I poured anti freeze into the header tank in the loft. Easy.

[@rogerthedodger5788]

@ 10:50 ... I have an old system that has a header tank. Can i just pour it into the tank? I want to put Fernox F8 to clean the sludge blocking the pipes. Any other tips, or anything i need to be careful about please?

[@orhandurmus1869]

Don't add straight to the header tank. Find your drain valve and drain sufficient water out of the system, then you can add via the wafer tank before then refilling

[@rogerthedodger5788]

@orhandurmus1869 thank you!

[@ianball9629]

Yes the bathroom towel rail is the easiest way. First isolate the radiator by closing the valves then take the plug out on the top and with a tube syphon out approximately a litre of water into a container and then add your inhibitor to the radiator, top up with level with some of the water you removed replace the plug open the valves and your done.

[@jimp1646]

Great video. A boiler engineer has offered to top up my inhibitor by injecting it directly into the boiler. I've not had it done that way before so wasn't sure if that's a good idea. Are there any advantages to me topping it up via a radiator instead. I have a pressurized system. Any advice would be appreciated.

[@bernardmanners9657]

Great video and keep them coming, but would probably have been better to use a radiator without radiator extensions on it, as to the uninformed this may of been confusing

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks. Fair point

[@bernardmanners9657]

@@TheDIYGuy1 ....but I will still be stealing this hack 😁👍

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Hah run with it 😊

[@Mike_5]

A nice way to do this is to add extra height pipes above the height of your radiators in your home upstairs connecting to the Flow and Return Central heating pipes maybe in an Airing cupboard with a connection to attach the additive and a air release valve

[@PSUK]

Great post, very useful. Thanks bud!

[@simonchilli2088]

Great stuff. We live in an area where the water is quite high in limescale. The rads have been bled but the ones up and downstairs furthest from the boiler are quite cool even when the heating is full on. We'll be giving this a go very soon.

[@ME-hc1fk]

The water in a radiator or heating system has nothing to do whatsoever with LIMESCALE !!!

[@PHNX0]

Thats what the same number of turns on the lock shield bit is about. Research ‘radiator balancing’. You restrict hot flow to the rads nearer your boiler by closing the lock shields on them a bit, so that hot water makes it to the furthest ones. This guy has a video on it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/bX_Wi2WaZ7SoptUsi=ZzQqzzByU0wtTIN_

[@nora5469]

Do you recommend using the cleanser first then inhibitor or does it really not make that much difference ? Cheers mate

[@creatamax16]

Legend!. Just what i was looking for. Cheers

[@mrlondon963]

Thank you for this video, very helpful. Q : On a pressurised system how is the Inhibitor going to mix with the rest of the system fluid if the Pump is simply pushing the liquid around? Wouldn't it remain unmixed?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Glad to help. It will in the rads as it moves through the system

[@mokkymiah2742]

I have a magnetic filter, can I just pour it into that?

[@lightx500]

I find it very easy to on on towel rail in bathroom, water leak not huge issues there being bathroom and the filling up much easier as you can just pour in from top !

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Yep for those that have a towel radiator it’s a good way to do it.

[@barryspiers6956]

Great vid, thank you. 2 quick questions, does the heating system need to be turned off? And how often would you add inhibitor? Thanks again!

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks. Every year you can top up inhibitor as never too much. Yes turn the heating system off.

[@barryspiers6956]

@@TheDIYGuy1 many thanks.

[@jasonwhitehead9777]

Can you get inibiter and leak sealer as one unit or do they come as separate items

[@jonnyshoestring9368]

Great little tip👍👍👏 One thought, when it comes to the last task of bleeding the air out and topping up the water level, then if the flow valve is opened and the bleed valve is opened then the water coming in will push any air out? If both valves are opened then surely the air will be pushed into the pipework and go through the system before it can be bled out.🤔🤔🤞🤞

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Your welcome. That doesn’t happen because the air is always at the top of the radiator.

[@ratilallad273]

Brilliant video. just one question. why not remove the bleeding valve to add the inhibitor instead of also removing radiator nut on the other side?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Thanks. If you do that then you won’t have anywhere for the air to dissipate as you add the inhibitor

[@ratilallad273]

@@TheDIYGuy1 Wel done. This thought never came to my mind. thanks a lot.

[@ratilallad273]

But if we feed inhibitor using towel raditor without feeding tool, i.e pour straight into the towel radiator, do we still need to undo other nut please?

[@sebneate8429]

Can u leave a link of the bits needed to make the filling thing please so i can go and ask for the parts i need.

[@gavinphilip2698]

Excellent video, can i add to any radiator in the system?

[@teopant]

Great video. Bravo. I am gonna do that next weekend. One question: I have a 12 years old heating system, do I use the inhibotor right away or do I have to perform some other action before e.g. cleaning - flushing? which is a bit out of my diy skills.

[@MD-wv7ee]

Fantastic video. Would this help to stop the clicking sound in our pipes/radiator system when we turn the heating on? Thanks

[@RH-nk7eo]

I might help a bit but you're better off using a cleaner (e.g. x800) and flushing the system a couple of times to get rid of any debris.

[@kanthvickram4490]

You made us laugh in this video talking about nice dish and in the previous video talking about nice curtain when you do plumbing !!!!!! Now i know who is on top in your house... hahahahahahahah; bless you man !! Highly informative videos, thank you. This also i am going to do in my friend's house....what about sticking in a water - hose pipe with a plastic funnel to fill !!?? The idea is the same, but equipment may be simple !!!!

[@6g8j9k]

Should i need to do it on every radiator in my house?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

No just one and it will circulate

[@umesh-3010]

Thanks for the tip mate. Just one question…do we have to put this inhibitor to all my radiators? If not which one do we use?

[@TheDIYGuy1]

Use any one ☝️