EcoRenovator - View Single Post - What kind of PEX tubing for hydronic heat?

jeff5may · 10-01-13, 06:45 AM

AC,

Sludge in plumbing (of any kind) comes mainly from two places: impurities in the water and pH imbalance.

In recirculating systems, impurities build up as water is added. The system burps, water leaches or leaks out, valves hiccup, etc. Makeup water is usually added from the municipal tap, which contains lots of trace elements dissolved in it. Also, everything corrodes or dissolves eventually as long as there is heat and flow. Iron rusts, dissimilar metals electrolyze, plastic chafes or bleaches, and when the temp goes up and down the expansion and contraction dislodges the stuff. Then the stuff goes round and round in your system until it settles. Somewhere.

pH is the other culprit. Low pH is bad for the plumbing, since acid eats metals. Too high pH is bad for the water, since the impurities begin to form scale. Actually, glycol is somewhat basic and absorbs oxygen as it ages. However, when it gets old, the pH drops and the corrosion inhibiting action is neutralized. Then the impurities have their way with the system as above.

The easiest way to prevent all sludge-related problems is by doing occasional inspections or pm's. A ten dollar pool water test kit will tell you how your water is, along with a visual. Just drain out a quart and have a look at it. Kind of like checking the coolant in your car.

10-01-13, 06:45 AM	#9
jeff5may Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: elizabethtown, ky, USA Posts: 2,428 Thanks: 431 Thanked 619 Times in 517 Posts	AC, Sludge in plumbing (of any kind) comes mainly from two places: impurities in the water and pH imbalance. In recirculating systems, impurities build up as water is added. The system burps, water leaches or leaks out, valves hiccup, etc. Makeup water is usually added from the municipal tap, which contains lots of trace elements dissolved in it. Also, everything corrodes or dissolves eventually as long as there is heat and flow. Iron rusts, dissimilar metals electrolyze, plastic chafes or bleaches, and when the temp goes up and down the expansion and contraction dislodges the stuff. Then the stuff goes round and round in your system until it settles. Somewhere. pH is the other culprit. Low pH is bad for the plumbing, since acid eats metals. Too high pH is bad for the water, since the impurities begin to form scale. Actually, glycol is somewhat basic and absorbs oxygen as it ages. However, when it gets old, the pH drops and the corrosion inhibiting action is neutralized. Then the impurities have their way with the system as above. The easiest way to prevent all sludge-related problems is by doing occasional inspections or pm's. A ten dollar pool water test kit will tell you how your water is, along with a visual. Just drain out a quart and have a look at it. Kind of like checking the coolant in your car. Last edited by jeff5may; 10-01-13 at 09:03 AM.. Reason: ghrammer