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.

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.

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 ?

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

Happy Birthday Ralph.

Did you and Tom play snooker the other week ?

Conversation between Pete and I

Tom and Ralph are going to play snooker next week. Shall I ask if they want to play us at doubles ?

No

Oh, why not ?

Are you completely mad ? We haven’t played since the kids were born, they’re nine now. They’re both very good players you know.

Well I expect they are, but it doesn’t matter does it ?

Yes.

Well you were good once and we don’t have to play for much, I’m sure they’ll be happy to play for the lights.

I can’t see and I can’t bend. Why don’t you arrange for me to box Joshua. I used to be able to fight you know.

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 ?

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

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.

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 ?

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.

https://community.screwfix.com/threads/help-with-air-testing-pipe-work.124159/

Very interesting.

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

This suggests using air may be dangerous.

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.

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.

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.