overpressure drain?

Merch

Just noticed recently when i was in the garden, when my heating is on (gas boiler) the copper pipe sticking out the wall is dripping a bit. I put my hand under it and on one occasion it wasnt too warm, another it was very warm.

Is this the over pressure drain?

I assume there is more pressure when it is hot, so how do i stop this dripping leak?
There is a pressure gauge on the case of the boiler but not sure if it has worked the same as before since it was last serviced,as at the time, I recal it functioning differently, currently shows max 1.5 bar ( the heating works fine) (fingers crossed, dont need to jinx myself into those problems).

JohnnieK

You have a problem with your heating system if there is water coming out of that pipe. It could be a number of problems that cause this, either way you should call your plumber/gas fitter to come and investigate.

Merch

JohnnieK wrote: »

You have a problem with your heating system if there is water coming out of that pipe. It could be a number of problems that cause this, either way you should call your plumber/gas fitter to come and investigate.

I appreciate the reply but I am sure this is a relatively easy fix, I dont have to go near the gas side of things (which i know is not allowed legally)
I am trying to figure out is the tee off to that copper pipe an over pressure drain regulator (is that what it is called?)
The water isnt pouring out and I am sure this all started only after the last service, same as the pressure gauge, so from what i can see, unfortunately the last guy I called out messed up my system from what i can see, that doesnt encourage me to pay someone to look at it.

Any ideas?

Micky Dolenz

If the safety valve is inside the case of the boiler you will need a RGI to fix it. It is illegal to go at it otherwise.

What type of boiler is it?

JohnnieK

Sorry to hear that:(. It's the pressure relife valve outlet. It only start passing on a fault scenario. If it's built into the boiler then you will need an RGI to sort it and to be honest I would get the fella who was recently at it back to sort it because I would hazard a guess he used it to drain or take some pressure out of the system. The valve seat is probably not sitting back down properly due to dirt in the water. Or just a big coincident.

Merch

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

If the safety valve is inside the case of the boiler you will need a RGI to fix it. It is illegal to go at it otherwise.

What type of boiler is it?

Its an ideal says on id plate FF250? was told they were the last reliable (dont want to jinx myself/fingers crossed) boiler Ideal did ??
its not a condensing boiler, been there for years and as per my not jinxing myself above, has for the most part worked quite well.

Merch

JohnnieK wrote: »

Sorry to hear that:(. It's the pressure relife valve outlet. It only start passing on a fault scenario. If it's built into the boiler then you will need an RGI to sort it and to be honest I would get the fella who was recently at it back to sort it because I would hazard a guess he used it to drain or take some pressure out of the system. The valve seat is probably not sitting back down properly due to dirt in the water. Or just a big coincident.

The service was last year and i noticed it a few months after that, then forgot about it/didnt notice it until recently again, a month or so back (guess i wasnt out the back when it was on)
I usually use it to heat water for showering during the summer as I feel if i heat the right amount it is cheaper than using the electric power shower, so long as I manage it well (id prefer a condenser boiler, and something with more controlability) currently there are virtually zero controls on the system (summer valve and me turning on/off rads needed/adjusting the mech timer as required)but also because I prefer not to shut it down for the whole summer and then expect it to work in the cold.
As you say it may be a bit of dirt or a coincidence.

What pressure should it be at? maybe the gauge is working correctly? I just assumed it got knackered at the same time, but it is like14 years old too.

JohnnieK

The boiler is a work horse. It should be at 1 bar but 1.5 is ok. You will have to get it sorted either way because it is allowing fresh water into the system constantly while it keeps dripping.

sullzz

Dont go trying to fix this problem yourself , with all due respect but you sound like you dont really know what your talking about and could cause more damage to your boiler , get a rgi in to check it out , this problem coukd be anything from the seating on the safety valve to a burst expansion vessell , dont take any chances

Merch

sullzz wrote: »

Dont go trying to fix this problem yourself , with all due respect but you sound like you dont really know what your talking about and could cause more damage to your boiler , get a rgi in to check it out , this problem coukd be anything from the seating on the safety valve to a burst expansion vessell , dont take any chances

Im not a plumber, I appreciate the advice of not taking any chances, but can I ask what did I say that gives the idea i dont have an idea what im talking about? I may not be familiar with what is the standard name used for a relief valve in domestic plumbing (so not going to lash in and say, is that the PRV?) or familiar with certain specific features of plumbing but I have worked since my apprenticeship (not plumbing) in a variety of technical jobs, I have found equipment is generally the same everywhere, a pressure relief valve is the same component that does the same thing everywhere, the same for other equipment, im probably not as familiar with specific equipment in domestic plumbing, but thats why Im asking for advice and not firing into it as I dont want to mess it up. Im not saying I have plumbing qualifications though, hence seeking the advice.
Unfortunately (may see from a few threads ive done today) I have and a person i know have had some poor to bad experiences with people engaged to carry out services in plumbing, so I am seeking as much advice before I am proceed with hiring anyone again(I know that doesnt mean everyone is like that but, that friend of mine has had no end of bother trying to get people even to respond, those that do are either trying to gouge her for cash/fail to do a repair that last more than a few months)
I dont want to come across like I know everything as that can get up peoples noses when they are in a profession and I am asking their advice.

Unfortunately these people have been RGI certified or qualified, I dont believe everyone is a shyster, but it just doesnt fill me with confidence about RGI

sullzz

Merch wrote: »

Im not a plumber, I appreciate the advice of not taking any chances, but can I ask what did I say that gives the idea i dont have an idea what im talking about?

No offence intended , i just got the impression that you intended to repair the problem yourself ,when you said its an easy fix that you dont have to go near the gas side of things , i do apologise if i offended you

Merch

sullzz wrote: »

No offence intended , i just got the impression that you intended to repair the problem yourself , i do apologise if i offended you

No offence taken, Im just hoping I didnt say something that made me sound like a complete eejit,
MY friend is having no end of bother at the moment herself and I dont have the time to really attend to it or my own problem, for me I was hoping it would be a click or two of a PRV , money is tight and with what i felt were poor previous experiences, Im wary of engaging someones services as generally the follow up with issues, feel has been poor, Im trying not to appear to lump the good tradespeople in with the bad, its difficult to get a good recommendation for a person and thats making me put it off.

Merch

been in 3 threads in plumbing, my confidence is somewhat restored, plus i feel i am a bit more up to speed about some things which I was not familiar with (neg head), so if Im talking to someone, I know what im asking for.

Im still at a loss as where to find a good plumber, which is more for my friend than me.

Websites? goldenpages? letting the keypad/fingers do the typing/walking has so far been unsuccessful.

JohnnieK

Merch wrote: »

Im still at a loss as where to find a good plumber, which is more for my friend than me.

Websites? goldenpages? letting the keypad/fingers do the typing/walking has so far been unsuccessful.

We are hard to come by:D:D. Do you have any work colleges that you can ask?

Merch

JohnnieK wrote: »

We are hard to come by:D:D. Do you have any work colleges that you can ask?

No, Im not working at the moment, (edit in college, re post 12 no time) but some people I did work with would for all purposes be doing plumbing jobs in work, but wouldn't change a tap at home? some didnt want to do it, others wouldnt dare??

Joey the lips

www.rgii.ie for a registered gas installer to fix your problem. Even if you know what the perceived problem is ie the safety valve you will not know what caused it so just replacing it will not fix the problem

This is always a touchy subject because really without actually looking at the job there is no way to know what is wrong. For example. I have seen safety valves blow because of simple things like plumbers using them to vent of heads on the boiler to work on rads then again i have seen them blow because a pressure relief valve at the water inlet has been letting in to much water.

We should not be really discussing this anyfurther but i will leave it to mickey to judge.