Hot water on its way

Published: 26 February 2010

• THE work to improve the hot water system at Spa Green estate is extensive; and to avoid having to shut down the system completely over the winter months, these works were planned in two phases (Estate chiefs in hot water, February 19).
The existing boilers at Spa Green estate were installed about seven years ago. The work over the summer of 2009 included the installation of a central hot water system and renewal of the main distribution pipework. The individual hot water cylinders within the flats and the distribution pipework is estimated to date back to when the estate was built (around 1947). Over time the pipework and cylinders have furred up with lime scale, and become inefficient, taking a long time to heat up.
The recent first phase of the renewal works has vastly improved the flow and distribution of the heating and hot water. However, there will still continue to be issues with the system until the second phase is complete. Therefore, before the second phase, we had planned, consulted and instructed that the appointed maintenance contractor (EPS) enhance the breakdown service so that any reported breakdowns are attended to swiftly
The second phase, programmed for this summer, at the end of May, will drain and flush the system of the sludge which is circulating around it and causing blockages, and balance the flow rates to give residents a clean and efficient system.
STEPHEN KIRRAGE
Director of property services, Homes for Islington