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Community Forums => The Lounge => Topic started by: sonour on January 24, 2020, 10:57:00 PM



Title: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 24, 2020, 10:57:00 PM
Hi all,

I had a new combi boiler fitted 2 or 3 years ago. After about a year, the boiler lost pressure and I repressirised it and rang the plumber and he said

 ‘ well let’s see if it happens again  ‘

Well it did happen again about six months later. I rang him again and said I would really like this sorted please. He said well there is a water leak somewhere, most likely underground under the house and the only way you can find it is to dig up the ground floor !

I have solid oak flooring throughout the ground floor except for tiles in the kitchen.

I asked the plumber if there was not some piece of equipment that could find the leak ? He said there was, but it was expensive, not very effective, and that he didn’t have one.

My boiler lost pressure on 17th January and again today, which means that once a week I either come home to, or wake up to a cold house.

Any help would be much appreciated.
xx


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 24, 2020, 11:11:16 PM
1. Do you have underfloor heating if so both up and downstairs or downstairs only.
2. On the boiler is there a sticker that says it has had inhibitor in.
3. Have you had the boiler serviced.
4. When the boiler was installed was it onto old pipe work.
5. If you have rads are they fitted with TRV,s

It could be as simple as the pressure relief valve on the boiler is opening is there water outside you will see the copper pipe bent over on the outside wall if this is dripping then that.s your problem

It could be a lack of inhibitor in the system

And yes it is simple to tell if it is a leak on the pipework simply drain down the system attach gauge fill with air and leave if the pressure drops you have a leak, competent plumber would take 1hr to do this.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 25, 2020, 01:02:49 AM
Thank you Mike. That certainly gives me plenty to go at.

1. No underfloor heating
2. No inhibitor sticker.
3. No. I asked the plumber to service it last time he was here. He said it really doesn’t need it yet. It has a Magnaclean, and I asked him to clean that, again he said doesn’t need it yet.
4. Yes, onto old pipe work although I had a couple of new radiators put in and obviously a bit of new pipe work in the boiler cupboard.
5. Yes

I’ll take a look outside in the morning. It would be great if it was this.

I don’t remember the plumber putting inhibitor in the system, I’ll ask him.

I’ll get him to do that leak test.

Thank you very much, you’ve been incredibly helpful.

I’ll report back shortly.



Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 25, 2020, 01:18:48 AM
Sorry, meant to post this in The Lounge.

If any mods wish to move it, that would be great


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 25, 2020, 05:23:52 PM
two things if the boiler is the problem and its a valiant or worcs bosch then they have at least 5 year warranties so your covered.

Just so you know what the plumber should do reference finding the leak

Drain down system
Disconnect flow and return pipes on the boiler
Cap off the return and apply pressure gauge to flow pipe
Fill with air to 2bar leave for 2 hours and see if pressure has dropped if not you know its a boiler problem


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 25, 2020, 09:54:27 PM
I can see a large plastic pipe on the outside wall, but I can’t see the copper pipe. I’ll get up on th flat roof tomorrow.

It’s an Ideal Vogue C40 but I think it does have a 5 year guarantee.

I’ll try to post pictures later, or WhatsApp them to Tom.

I won’t leave the plumbers side when he comes out, so I’ll see exactly what he does. That explanation of the pressure check will be very useful, thank you.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 26, 2020, 11:18:45 AM
The white plastic pipe carries the condensing water away from inside the boiler, there will be a 15mm copper pipe which allows the water in the radiators and pipework to vent out should the pressure build up which normally occurs from people who keep filling the system.

Once a system is filled it rarely needs topping up.

The reason to have the boiler serviced is so that the condensing water chamber is emptied as if it gets blocked the boiler will stop working.

Any gas boiler made in the last 10 years takes about 10 minutes to service as they are so well built and condensers are cleaner unfortunately most service engineers faff about for 30 minutes as to justify the servicing price


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: Ironside on January 26, 2020, 01:06:39 PM
anyone seen Sark?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: nirvana on January 26, 2020, 01:33:07 PM
I had a similar problem recently and turned out the condensing chamber ha d a very tiny leak. It was an ideal boiler and around 9 years old and wa s fixed on warranty with no fuss. Only reason for mentioning it is that if it is boiler related then the warranties are long and very non quibble if its clear the boiler has an issue


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 26, 2020, 07:31:34 PM
I had a similar problem recently and turned out the condensing chamber ha d a very tiny leak. It was an ideal boiler and around 9 years old and wa s fixed on warranty with no fuss. Only reason for mentioning it is that if it is boiler related then the warranties are long and very non quibble if its clear the boiler has an issue

Thank you, Sir.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 26, 2020, 07:37:43 PM
I checked the copper pipe outside the house, both when the heating was off and when it was on, and unfortunately it wasn’t dripping.

So is the next move is the pressure test ?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on January 26, 2020, 08:27:31 PM
Pics of Lisa's set up.





(https://s19.directupload.net/images/200126/f5ouggqg.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net) (https://s19.directupload.net/images/200126/8gdtny38.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 26, 2020, 08:42:48 PM
Thank you Tom.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: cish n fhips on January 27, 2020, 05:02:59 PM
Had same problem myself not long ago.

I was trying to remedy myself as i like a challenge.

I rebalanced the heating and its worked so far not 100% its solved but not had a problem
so far.Touch wood.

I just followed a youtube video loads about.

Good luck


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 27, 2020, 08:31:18 PM
Thank you. That looks like something I could do. I’ll give it a try in the morning.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 28, 2020, 06:59:10 PM
All radiators now balanced. It was a bigger job than I expected, but more due to the sheer number of radiators than the complexity.

I’ll just wait now and see if that’s fixed the problem.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on January 30, 2020, 12:45:10 PM
From Lisa.




(https://s19.directupload.net/images/200130/8sdkgt94.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 30, 2020, 05:11:59 PM
1. that discharge pipe has obviously been leaking for some time
2. that is not how it is meant to be it should like an upside down L so any boiling water is discharged to the wall and the ground
3. could not see an inhibitor sticker on your boiler so this could be why the system is dropping down

If there is no inhibitor the water in the system just keeps heating up and generally evaporating similar to constantly boiling a kettle it will eventually empty


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 30, 2020, 08:56:49 PM
1. that discharge pipe has obviously been leaking for some time
2. that is not how it is meant to be it should like an upside down L so any boiling water is discharged to the wall and the ground
3. could not see an inhibitor sticker on your boiler so this could be why the system is dropping down

If there is no inhibitor the water in the system just keeps heating up and generally evaporating similar to constantly boiling a kettle it will eventually empty

1. I have never seen that pipe leak. The stain on the wall proves it has leaked in the past but could that have been years ago, before I had this problem ?
2. Sorry I don’t understand the bit that says ‘ is discharged to the wall and the ground ‘. Doesn’t the current pipe discharge to the wall and the ground ?
3. I’ve asked the plumber who installed the boiler if he put inhibitor in. I await his reply.

Thank again,
Lisa


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on January 30, 2020, 09:24:08 PM
I don't know anything about boilers, but mine lost pressure so I dismantled it a bit and found an expansion tank with a car tyre type valve on it, so I connected a foot-pump and pumped it up a bit and it was fine for absolutely ages.

Eventually it did need pumping again but by that time the government had started a scheme whereby they replaced old, inefficient boilers with brand new eco friendly ones and subsidised like, 90% of the cost.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 30, 2020, 10:41:57 PM
The plumber has just emailed me. Probably not fair on him to copy and paste his email here.
He said the boiler is over pressurising when hot and needs servicing. He’s coming in about two weeks and will add more inhibitor.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 31, 2020, 10:44:14 AM
1st Red dog your probably correct

2nd original poster look at the first and second answers you posted - your plumber said the boiler didn't need servicing also he needed an expensive bit of kit to test for leaks - a foot pump and a pressure gauge (£30) standard kit for a plumber.

Now he is saying the boiler needs servicing and is running hot. He is all over the place.

Do your self a favour and find another heating engineer look on the ideal web site they will have a list of competent  plumbers who are approved by them.

Finally just drain a bit out of a rad 1/2 cup full and go and by a £10 kit which will tell you if there is any inhibitor in the system


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 31, 2020, 10:59:20 AM
forgot to ask but when you had the boiler installed did they power flush out the radiators and pipework, which is a machine that is like a big hoover that gets attached to a rad and pumps the clean water round the system to flush out the old debris before fitting a new boiler.

Takes normally 2/3 hours and they would have listed it in their quotation if the did not this could also be the problem of gunk blocking the system causing it to discharge through the overflow pipe


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 31, 2020, 06:41:22 PM
forgot to ask but when you had the boiler installed did they power flush out the radiators and pipework, which is a machine that is like a big hoover that gets attached to a rad and pumps the clean water round the system to flush out the old debris before fitting a new boiler.

Takes normally 2/3 hours and they would have listed it in their quotation if the did not this could also be the problem of gunk blocking the system causing it to discharge through the overflow pipe

I agree with you re the plumber. I’ll find another one. No he didn’t do a power flush when he installed the new boiler. I did ask him to do one and I can’t remeber why he didn’t. I do remember him connecting a hose to the sort of bleed nipple on the pipe work and a lot of black water coming out but definitely no machine attached.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on January 31, 2020, 06:44:25 PM
I’m trying to resist asking you, if, by doing the pressure test, we find out there is a leak, how we are going to find the leak.

I wait until we know it’s a leak before asking you that :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on January 31, 2020, 11:28:28 PM
I do not think its a leak as i can not see an inhibitor sticker on your boiler i think you will find the system just needs flushing out filling with inhibitor and it will be okay.

If the air pressure drops you have to disconnect the pipework into sections and keep testing but to be honest if you had a leak even under the floor i expect it would have shown it self up by now as a wooden floor would start to swell.

When you had your floor laid was it floating (just laid on top of an underlay) or was it glued or was it nailed.

Most building questions I can answer


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 01, 2020, 01:12:08 AM
I’ll do your test for inhibitor this weekend. Even if there was inhibitor initially, I guess it will be very much diluted with all this constant topping up I’m doing. I’ll get a different plumber to do a power flush and refill including inhibitor. I’ll be very happy if that fixes the problem. Good to know you don’t think it’s a leak.
That’s interesting about pressure testing different sections of piping and eliminating sections that way.
The flooring was already fitted when I moved in but I believe it to be floating, not fixed.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 16, 2020, 01:09:46 PM
I have a heating engineer here now. He has serviced the boiler. Part of this process increased the temperature dramatically. There was no discharge from that copper overflow pipe. It didn’t even get warm. I think that staining on the outside wall is from years and years ago and the previous boiler.
He’s going to do a power flush and add inhibitor.
I’ve asked him to do the air pressure test but he is reluctant. He said that will just tell us we have a leak. I said then we should isolate different parts of the pipe work and eliminate sections in that way.
He said we are doing the same thing with water and using the pressure gauge on the boiler.
He wants to dig up all the floors as well ! When I pushed him further he mentioned thermal imaging. Now he wants to put a sealant in the system. I
I really want to find the leak.
Does anyone want the job of finding this leak ? I live in Walsall just north of Birmingham and make good bacon sandwiches :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: McGlashan on February 16, 2020, 08:39:54 PM
I have a heating engineer here now. He has serviced the boiler. Part of this process increased the temperature dramatically. There was no discharge from that copper overflow pipe. It didn’t even get warm. I think that staining on the outside wall is from years and years ago and the previous boiler.
He’s going to do a power flush and add inhibitor.
I’ve asked him to do the air pressure test but he is reluctant. He said that will just tell us we have a leak. I said then we should isolate different parts of the pipe work and eliminate sections in that way.
He said we are doing the same thing with water and using the pressure gauge on the boiler.
He wants to dig up all the floors as well ! When I pushed him further he mentioned thermal imaging. Now he wants to put a sealant in the system. I
I really want to find the leak.
Does anyone want the job of finding this leak ? I live in Walsall just north of Birmingham and make good bacon sandwiches :)


Apologies for being a bit late to the thread. On what basis are we saying there is a leak (from below the floor), ie did the second heating engineer suggest it?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 16, 2020, 09:26:49 PM
Yes, the second engineer thinks it is a leak based on the fact that he couldn’t find anything wrong with the boiler. I specifically asked him to do an air pressure test when I booked him but when I pushed him today he said he didn’t have an air pressure gauge.
I think all I found out for sure today, is that there isn’t anything escaping through that overflow pipe.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: McGlashan on February 16, 2020, 10:08:49 PM
Yes, the second engineer thinks it is a leak based on the fact that he couldn’t find anything wrong with the boiler. I specifically asked him to do an air pressure test when I booked him but when I pushed him today he said he didn’t have an air pressure gauge.
I think all I found out for sure today, is that there isn’t anything escaping through that overflow pipe.


Cool. Sounds like you're not doing anything based off the original installers recommendations.

Putting in sealant is normal after a desludging. You'll be dislodging some debris which has found a home in the joints. Internal leak sealer helps cover minor leaks.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: McGlashan on February 16, 2020, 10:38:50 PM
On the basis you still want to find the leak I'm going to assume you don't yet have a flushing date. If that's the case you could inject some leaksealer into system and see whether the pressure drops again.

Here's a guide https://www.sentinelprotects.com/uk/support/seal-leaking-pipe (https://www.sentinelprotects.com/uk/support/seal-leaking-pipe)

The off the shelf B&Q product https://www.diy.com/departments/plumbsure-central-heating-leak-sealer-concentrate-310ml/178337_BQ.prd (https://www.diy.com/departments/plumbsure-central-heating-leak-sealer-concentrate-310ml/178337_BQ.prd)



Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 17, 2020, 12:03:47 AM
Thank you for your help.

So I should have allowed him to put the leak sealant in. I was really sold on Mikeys idea of the air pressure test. I booked the guy to do that job and then he turns up without the equipment. I didn’t have any confidence in him at all. I really want to find out where this leak is as there may be water damage that needs attention. I was concerned that leak sealant might just be a temporary fix.
I also booked him to do the power flush today but when he arrived he said he wouldn’t have time today and would have to do it another time. I won’t have him back so it looks like it will be guy number 3 doing it.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: McGlashan on February 17, 2020, 02:45:43 AM
huh, he doesn't want to be invited back.

just to clarify powerflushing only cleans and has nothing to do with finding or fixing a leak - except for them leaving in £8 worth of internal leak sealer at the end. i don't expect a heating engineer to carry it in the van and it's pointless if you're about to powerflush the system anyway.





Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: Karabiner on February 17, 2020, 02:05:04 PM
Can we have some pictorial evidence of the aforementioned bacon sarnies on the what's cooking thread please Lisa?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on February 17, 2020, 03:11:35 PM
Do not put leak sealer in as you will only mask the problem,

Your obviously not having much joy.

Is the pressure still dropping or is it stable

Did you get the plumber from the boiler manufacturers list of installers if not why not

Who balanced the radiators for you - you really dont need a plumber to do the pressure testing you must know a friendly builder they will be able to carry it out without to much hassle


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: McGlashan on February 17, 2020, 04:47:13 PM
Do not put leak sealer in as you will only mask the problem,

Your obviously not having much joy.

Is the pressure still dropping or is it stable

Did you get the plumber from the boiler manufacturers list of installers if not why not

Who balanced the radiators for you - you really dont need a plumber to do the pressure testing you must know a friendly builder they will be able to carry it out without to much hassle

We're not poles apart here. If someone is beginning this from scratch they can phone up their boiler manufacturer and ask for the number of an official service agent. That individual would see the job through all the way to the end rather than what is happening here.

I'm with you on the friendly builder. The powerflushing thing is not an immediate requirement.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 17, 2020, 07:38:18 PM
I balanced the radiators myself. It was time consuming but not difficult. If you are suggesting a builder can perform this pressure test, then I guess I can also do that myself. I’ll find some YouTube videos now.

Guy number one, who installed the boiler, was Ideal approved. I wrongly thought any heating engineer would be able to fix this problem.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 17, 2020, 07:45:49 PM

https://community.screwfix.com/threads/pressure-testing-heating-system.66946/

This suggests using air may be dangerous.



Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 17, 2020, 08:18:50 PM
https://community.screwfix.com/threads/help-with-air-testing-pipe-work.124159/

Very interesting.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on February 19, 2020, 12:08:33 AM
two things

nobody tests with compressed air listen to people on screwfix at your own peril i doubt if any of them are qualified

as a test just fill your boiler to 2bar then turn off the flow and return levers at the boiler leave all day if you can and see if the pressure gauge drops - dont forget to turn your heating controls to off then put a container under the discharge pipe outside go and turn the flow and return valves back on and fire up the heating

if the pressure drops check the container if its empty we can now rule out any boiler issues


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 19, 2020, 09:20:55 PM
two things

nobody tests with compressed air listen to people on screwfix at your own peril i doubt if any of them are qualified

as a test just fill your boiler to 2bar then turn off the flow and return levers at the boiler leave all day if you can and see if the pressure gauge drops - dont forget to turn your heating controls to off then put a container under the discharge pipe outside go and turn the flow and return valves back on and fire up the heating

if the pressure drops check the container if its empty we can now rule out any boiler issues

Thanks again for your help.

So, switch the heating off.

Fill to 2 bar.

Are the flow and return levers, the ones I used to fill to 2 bar ?

Put a container under discharge pipe.

Leave for as long as I can bear the heating off.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 19, 2020, 09:23:24 PM
two things

nobody tests with compressed air listen to people on screwfix at your own peril i doubt if any of them are qualified

as a test just fill your boiler to 2bar then turn off the flow and return levers at the boiler leave all day if you can and see if the pressure gauge drops - dont forget to turn your heating controls to off then put a container under the discharge pipe outside go and turn the flow and return valves back on and fire up the heating

if the pressure drops check the container if its empty we can now rule out any boiler issues

Thanks again for your help.

So, switch the heating off.

Fill to 2 bar.

Are the flow and return levers, the ones I used to fill to 2 bar ?

Put a container under discharge pipe.

Leave for as long as I can bear the heating off.

Can I use the hot water during this time ?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on February 21, 2020, 07:54:18 PM
(https://s19.directupload.net/images/200221/ge29qbap.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net) (https://s19.directupload.net/images/200221/4yqc7rtk.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 21, 2020, 10:22:45 PM
Thank you Tom.

Kids are away for the weekend, so I can switch the heating off.

Pumped it up to 2 bar and put is a container outside under the overflow pipe.

All this was done at 10am this morning.

I’ll report back at 10am tomorrow morning.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on February 22, 2020, 10:53:26 AM
(https://s19.directupload.net/images/200222/ic6zryth.jpg) (https://www.directupload.net)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 22, 2020, 07:49:24 PM
So in 24 hours, with the heating off, the pressure dropped from 2 bar to 1 bar. There was no water in the container under the overflow pipe.

I’m going to put the heating back on now, I’m freezing :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on February 23, 2020, 04:08:47 PM
Okay so over the period you dropped 1bar not good, now you have fired the heating back on what is the pressure gauge reading and is it dropping or just staying constant.

What type of property do you live in as i am baffled to work out if there is a leak why you are not seeing any signs of water appearing from some where also the fact you dropped 1 bar but did not go to zero is odd as well


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 23, 2020, 07:27:41 PM
The heating is on now and the pressure is about 1.2 bar. This time tomorrow I would expect it to be in the red.

Large, five bedroomed, detached property built in the 1930’s. Flooring in the kitchen and utility is tiles and throughout the rest of the ground floor is solid oak planks, 100cm x 7.5cm x 2cm. I think the planks are floating because they move and I get annoying gaps.

Does a 1bar drop in 24 hours mean I’ve got a big leak ? How much water would that equate to ?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: Karabiner on February 23, 2020, 07:51:26 PM
Hi Lisa, I don't mean to sound rude but I can't keep ignoring the Pete-sized elephant in the room.

How is my old mate?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 23, 2020, 09:38:06 PM
Hi Lisa, I don't mean to sound rude but I can't keep ignoring the Pete-sized elephant in the room.

How is my old mate?

Have a look at your birthday thread and decide for yourself :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: Karabiner on February 24, 2020, 12:33:39 AM
Hi Lisa, I don't mean to sound rude but I can't keep ignoring the Pete-sized elephant in the room.

How is my old mate?

Have a look at your birthday thread and decide for yourself :)

I had always assumed that Pete was a master of all things DIY.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on February 24, 2020, 11:36:45 AM
Ok good news the leak is not upstairs or you would have noticed it coming through the ceiling

Whilst the heating is on fill the system to 1.5bar and then disconnect one side of the filling loop it has been know for the check valves on the loop to be faulty thus pushing the water back into the cold pipe unlikely but lets rule it out

Are all your radiators hot from top to bottom side to side when on or is there some cold spots

If you are having to re pressure on a every other day basis yes it is a big leak -

1930s houses usually well built do you have air bricks outside - if it is leaking though you would think you would start to smell an odour from the damp under the floor

However positive news is that should it be the mother of all leaks instead of ripping up all the floors and the upheaval that would cause you should be able to drop new pipework from the upstairs rads to the the downstairs rads that is providing you got the normal pine flooring upstairs


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 25, 2020, 11:05:46 PM
Yes, all radiators are hot all over. I checked this and I’ve checked every bit of visible pipe work for leaks.

Can you explain ‘ disconnect one side of the filling loop ‘ please ?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 26, 2020, 04:38:03 PM
Hi Lisa, I don't mean to sound rude but I can't keep ignoring the Pete-sized elephant in the room.

How is my old mate?

Have a look at your birthday thread and decide for yourself :)

I had always assumed that Pete was a master of all things DIY.

Unfortunately not. He has absolutely no idea how to do anything or how anything works. If I google a problem and watch the YouTube videos and explain it to him and then show him what needs doing, he is kind of willing to help. My Dad finds it quite incredible that Pete has never changed a washer on a tap. I think he has changed a plug but he would definitely ask me which way round the live and neutral go.
I did all kinds of jobs with my Dad as a child and because of that I just have so much more confidence. When tradesmen come to the house I always offer to help and I ask lots and lots of questions. Some will even let me do certain tastes under their instruction. Some like it, some don’t. I’m an acquired taste. Pete usually cringes and disappears off somewhere. I find it easy to ask if I don’t understand something, Pete would never ask. Male pride I think.



Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 26, 2020, 07:53:18 PM
Yes, all radiators are hot all over. I checked this and I’ve checked every bit of visible pipe work for leaks.

Can you explain ‘ disconnect one side of the filling loop ‘ please ?

Ok, I googled ‘ filling loop ‘. I think is usually a braided hose or pipe between those two leavers that I’m using to add pressure to the system. It’s connected to the mains. I think mine is actually rigid copper pipe but the good news is there are isolator valves there so I may be able to disconnect the filling loop once I receive further instructions from Mikey.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on February 26, 2020, 08:40:27 PM
Yes i can see your filling loop which is partly braided (bodged job) you are correct the whole pipe is braided and has a check valve built in which stops any water in the heating system entering the mains cold water.

The side you need to disconnect looks to be on the right as an educated guess it is the side that fills your return or flow pipe on the boiler side you disconnect the hose but make sure that you leave the shut off valve in place or you will be leaking like a sieve you should need no tools just dismantle it by hand


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 26, 2020, 11:23:42 PM
Ok. So while the heating is on, I’ll fill to 1.5 bar and disconnect the right hand side of the filling loop. What am I expecting to happen or not happen ?

Thank you.


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: atdc21 on February 27, 2020, 01:09:14 PM
Hi Lisa, I don't mean to sound rude but I can't keep ignoring the Pete-sized elephant in the room.

How is my old mate?

Have a look at your birthday thread and decide for yourself :)


I had always assumed that Pete was a master of all things DIY.

Unfortunately not. He has absolutely no idea how to do anything or how anything works. If I google a problem and watch the YouTube videos and explain it to him and then show him what needs doing, he is kind of willing to help. My Dad finds it quite incredible that Pete has never changed a washer on a tap. I think he has changed a plug but he would definitely ask me which way round the live and neutral go.
I did all kinds of jobs with my Dad as a child and because of that I just have so much more confidence. When tradesmen come to the house I always offer to help and I ask lots and lots of questions. Some will even let me do certain tastes under their instruction. Some like it, some don’t. I’m an acquired taste. Pete usually cringes and disappears off somewhere. I find it easy to ask if I don’t understand something, Pete would never ask. Male pride I think.



 :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on February 28, 2020, 12:20:22 AM
Tasks :)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on March 02, 2020, 11:00:19 AM
Ok, I think I understand now. The filling loop only needs to be connected during the filling process. So it can be disconnected as long as the taps are closed. Some say it should be disconnected as this prevents the water from the heating flowing back to into the mains if the valve fails.

So if I disconnect the filling loop and I no longer lose pressure then the pressure loss was due to the water flowing back into the main and the valve is probably faulty.

If the pressure loss continues then I have a leak :(


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: RED-DOG on March 02, 2020, 03:22:18 PM
(https://i.imgur.com/NNphH7g.jpg)


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on March 02, 2020, 06:35:28 PM
Thank you again Tom.

I’ve undone the braided pipe on the right hand side. It is fully undone and a small amount of water dripped out. I can’t pull it off totally, probably because of the rigid part of the pipe on the other side. Is that good enough or shall I unscrew the left hand side which I think will enable me to then remove it ?


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: mikeymike2 on March 04, 2020, 09:59:30 PM
you only need to undo one side are you still losing pressure


Title: Re: Central Heating Boiler losing pressure
Post by: sonour on March 05, 2020, 07:24:24 PM
Yes, I’m still losing pressure :(