WHAT IS A 'pH' LEVEL OR 'pH' VALUE?
The 'pH' level or pH value of water is a measure of its acidity.
The lower the pH number, the more acidic the water. The pH number is important, as
acidity in heating systems can corrode components such as boilers and radiators.
Starting with '1', as the pH value rises above 1 the water is graded as less acidic
until it reachs a value of 7, which is neutral (the water is neither acid nor alkaline).
Above 7 the water is more alkaline, so a pH value of 7 is beneficial to the water
in heating systems as it does not corrode the pipework and radiators in the same way
as acidic water would.
HOW DO I INCREASE THE PH VALUE OF MY HEATING WATER?
Increasing the pH value is normally achieved through flushing out the heating system
to get rid of acidic water, then adding a neutraliser to help balance the pH level
to 7 (neutral), then adding proprietary chemical corrosion
inhibitors to keep the water 'pH' level at 7 by combating corrosion in the system
(which will turn the water acidic).
The corrosion inhibitor should be topped
up every 12-24 months, depending on the brand and the normal acidity of the local
water.
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