Why does a heating circuit need protection?
In a well designed properly installed system that has been cleaned and commissioned in accordance with BS7593, experts may well argue on how great the risk is of corrosion causing damage to metal surfaces within the heating circuit. However if poor design or faulty installation exists, factors such as leaks and pumping over will become common place with scale and corrosion problems resulting. It is for this reason that it should be termed as best practice to install an inhibitor.

What are the factors involved in the Scale and Corrosion process?
If a significant level of scale is present within the heating circuit it is a clear indication that the system is not working efficiently. This is because in a typical 100 litre system that is free from leaks, the tap water used for filling only contains very small levels of calcium carbonate per 100 litres, even in the hardest of water areas. Constant replenishment with mains water caused by leaks and drain downs acts to increase levels significantly.

Although the theories on corrosion and its effects within heating systems are complex the role Oxygen plays is undeniable. Oxygen in dissolved form (D.O) enters the heating circuit via the mains water used for filling. The situation is further aggravated through poor design or faulty installation when the symptom refered to as pumping over occurs. Just as oxygen is a vital fuel to start a fire so it is for the corrosion process to take place. Understanding this fact can be seen as a fundamental to tackling the problem.

Soft water area, do I need protection?
In most instances if a heating circuit is filled with water supplied from a soft water area it tends to be more at risk from corrosion than that of a hard water supply. This is because soft water tends to be more acidic.

What forms of protection are available to treat corrosion?
In general terms the traditional way to treat a heating system has been to apply chemical based inhibitor such as SM1 to protect metal surfaces. However over recent years there has been a further choice available in the form of physical protection devices similar to CM products produced by Scalemaster.

Chemical or physical, which system do I choose?
The objective of this section of the website is to provide the facts on both protection systems and allow a choice to be made based on individual budget and preferences.