Estimated Costs for plumbing 4 rads, clean out & reblance

Hi there,
I have a plumbing job that needs to be done in September.
I need:
- 4 radiators replaced
- The system cleaned out of black gunk (am sure there is a technical term for it)
- Ball cock and possibly hot water tank replaced.
- All radiators rebalanced.

Was thinking of getting the radiators myself.
Would anyone know how much the above would cost? Just need an idea of estimates at this stage.

Thanks in advance,
D8L

Any help out there? Please?!

The black gunk is sludge. I am not a plumber but if the job is labour only maybe €1000-€1200. You should ask for an estimate first because if you let them do the job without giving a price they can charge whatever they like. I know someone that paid €1400 to get a cylinder installed.

Thanks jackswift, much appreciated.

I assume you will get the exact same saze radiators so changing them is pretty basic. price will also depend on the type of flushing you need. Power flushing is expensive. A high pressure machine is connected to your system and chemicals added then as the name suggests is power flushed. That alone could cost up to €500 although I don't know for sure.I find that method aggesive and unnecessary in a lot of cases esp older properties.

A more gentle and cheaper way is to add a cleansing agent which you leave in the system for a few weeks to break down the sludge. After that the system is drained down and all the radiators are removed and flushed with clean water and remounted.

The price of the cylinder depends on the size of the cylinder. A standard cylinder is 30 inchs by 18 and costs about €150 and an immersion is appox €40. A ballcock is about €5. I would be confident that a competent plumber and assistant would complete all works stated in less than two days.

From your name I assume you are in Dublin, I don't know how much plumbers charge there but shop around.

BTW, I am impressed you know what rebalancing is, I have talked to other plumbers who look at me blankly when I use the word.
Balancing is very easy to do.

Thanks for the details DavyJones,
I think the gentler approach would be all thats needed. When my radiators were too hot & too cold I had to find out what the problem was..

Thanks again,
D8L

BTw, why do you think you need a new cylinder?

Also, why do you think you need a new ballcock?

Sigh.... just thought I'd give an update on this saga....
I engaged a plumber. We agreed on about €700 for a 2-3 day job which was to start last Friday.
I bought the rads, placed them in rooms and turned the house upside down to ensure he had a clear run at everything he needed.

On Thursday, I gave him my keys and then - nothing! He hasn't turned up and was answering call until Monday. He said he'd caught a bug and would call me yesterday but didn't.

At this stage I just want my keys back. If anyone knows a reliable plumber, ready to do a smallish job in Dublin 8, please let me know!

D8L