Boiler question...

  • Thread starter Thread starter vkurup
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vkurup

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We have a Worcester Combi Boiler. A few weeks ago, i bled the radiators and topped up the boiler to the correct pressure.

Yesterday was up in the loft and realised that the pressure had dropped below the optimum range. So topped it again. Havent seen any leak in the sys, but a bit concerned.

Suggestions?
 
I had this problem with a Vaillant combi boiler last year. The pressure relief valve had stuck in the open position, letting water out. Got a new one from a boiler shop for less than a tenner, easy to fit. The valve usually has a pipe attached to it to allow water to escape if the pressure gets too high. Mine didn't have this pipe so I could see the water dripping. Be carefull, the water can be almost at boiling point!
 
vkurup said:
Probably twice a year.. last top up (no bleed) was done a few weeks ago when I noticed the pressure was low.
Click to expand...

It doesn't sound like a leak, it may just have a little bi of air still stuck in the system. Keep an eye on it, bleed and vent as you go.
 
Stuart_C said:
It doesn't sound like a leak, it may just have a little bi of air still stuck in the system. Keep an eye on it, bleed and vent as you go.
Click to expand...

Will do... will revisit the loft next weekend to see if there is any drop.
 
There was an item on BBC Watchdog about this a while ago, apparently some water companies turn the pressure down at times so they don,t lose so much in underground leakage. It was causing problems with many boilers & had caused some to pack up altogether where the customer hadn't noticed & continued to use it. Worth keeping an eye on it & maybe ask the neighbours if they are having similar problems.
 
Gazp said:
There was an item on BBC Watchdog about this a while ago, apparently some water companies turn the pressure down at times so they don,t lose so much in underground leakage. It was causing problems with many boilers & had caused some to pack up altogether where the customer hadn't noticed & continued to use it. Worth keeping an eye on it & maybe ask the neighbours if they are having similar problems.
Click to expand...

Interesting... (dont know much about boilers) but I suspected that this pressure thingi was more to do with the pressure in the radiators etc - which is a closed system. Hence shld not be affected by the the reduction of pressure... but happy 2 be correct.
 
Gazp said:
There was an item on BBC Watchdog about this a while ago, apparently some water companies turn the pressure down at times so they don,t lose so much in underground leakage. It was causing problems with many boilers & had caused some to pack up altogether where the customer hadn't noticed & continued to use it. Worth keeping an eye on it & maybe ask the neighbours if they are having similar problems.
Click to expand...

This wont affect the boiler at all, the pressure in the system is sealed and therefore wont be affected by the cold mains pressure :)

Vkurup sounds like a bit of air may have passed through your system, if its a regular occurence then it could be a leak, expansion vessel or Pressure relief valve fault, twice a year is about right to top up your system as the pump causes air to be leaked into the system.


Any problems give me a PM and ill be happy to help
 
Brookesy said:
Vkurup sounds like a bit of air may have passed through your system, if its a regular occurence then it could be a leak, expansion vessel or Pressure relief valve fault, twice a year is about right to top up your system as the pump causes air to be leaked into the system.


Any problems give me a PM and ill be happy to help
Click to expand...

Brookesy... the boiler is about 5 yrs old and was put in by British Gas. It has been untouched after that except for the bleeding & top up by me.

My neighbour is getting his plumber to put in a new boiler. I am tempted to ask him to come over and do a powerflush. Is there anything else he can look at as part of a 'service' or should I consider giving an annual contract to BG?
 
vkurup said:
Brookesy... the boiler is about 5 yrs old and was put in by British Gas. It has been untouched after that except for the bleeding & top up by me.

My neighbour is getting his plumber to put in a new boiler. I am tempted to ask him to come over and do a powerflush. Is there anything else he can look at as part of a 'service' or should I consider giving an annual contract to BG?
Click to expand...

Do not give BG a single penny.

Mate at work used them (up until last night), boiler broke down, 7 engineer visits later still not fixed as each time a new engineer arrives he says...........

"That's the wrong part mate", he then goes an orders another part (which the next engineer says is wrong)' BG have refused to do any further "repairs" as it has cost them too much already.

He's been without hot water for over 3 weeks now.
 
forefortheday said:
Do not give BG a single penny.

Mate at work used them (up until last night), boiler broke down, 7 engineer visits later still not fixed as each time a new engineer arrives he says...........

"That's the wrong part mate", he then goes an orders another part (which the next engineer says is wrong)' BG have refused to do any further "repairs" as it has cost them too much already.

He's been without hot water for over 3 weeks now.
Click to expand...

I see a Watchdog episode coming up....
 
bigslice said:
look into worcesters own boiler maintenance contract, excellent service
Click to expand...

Now that sounds interesting.. since it is about 5 yrs old, just coming out of warrenty. Will need to dig out the paperwork.
 
I would defintiley stay away from british gas, they are big con artists and rip off many many people!

Id look at either local companys or would indeed go for worcesters home care package, you really need to keep your boiler serviced every year to keep it ticking over well.

I wouldnt recommend a power flush if it was flushed when installed, which it should have been! If not i would definitley recommend a powerflush and get the plumber to install something called a magnaclean. This is basically a magnet that gets rid of all the sludge that causes damage to your boiler in your system.

There isnt really much to servicing the more modern combination boilers its mainly checking that its working at the correct pressure, flue analysis check and a general clean but it still needs to be done.

Hope this helps.
 
vkurup said:
Now that sounds interesting.. since it is about 5 yrs old, just coming out of warrenty. Will need to dig out the paperwork.
Click to expand...

they will only look after the boiler and possibly any worcester external controls (room stat/programmer). if its piece of mind you want then a maintenace plan is the way to go. which model do you have
 
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