Safe to Seal Automatic Air Vent on Oil Boiler

danjo-xx

This valve has been weeping for years but over the Summer it's kind of turned into a flood.

Had a guy out today who said there is no need for this valve at all where the rads are higher than the boiler, as in my case and that they always leak.

Anyway on spur of the moment I went ahead and let him reLmove the valve and cap it.

Leak sorted, but I'm still a bit concerned that this may not have been the right thing to do.

Is there any risk or danger in what has been done.

He said there was none and that a valve near the pump which he showed me is a safety valve and it would spill out water if there was a problem.



Safety Valve

Outkast_IRE

danjo-xx wrote: »

This valve has been weeping for years but over the Summer it's kind of turned into a flood.

Had a guy out today who said there is no need for this valve at all where the rads are higher than the boiler, as in my case and that they always leak.

Anyway on spur of the moment I went ahead and let him reLmove the valve and cap it.

Leak sorted, but I'm still a bit concerned that this may not have been the right thing to do.

Is there any risk or danger in what has been done.

He said there was none and that a valve near the pump which he showed me is a safety valve and it would spill out water if there was a problem.

It would be best practice to have a auto air vent there, it ensures no pockets of air caught at top of boiler.
I would never cap it personally.

Billy Bunting

Your picture would have been better if it had included the pipework.

aujopimur

Having installed many many heating systems, I always fitted manual vents as i considered the auto ones a leak nuisance.

JohnnieK

If the system is ever drained there is no way of venting the boilers heat exchanger now the vent has been removed.

Cheap auto air vents are crap. The more expensive ones like Flamco are normally solid.

Billy Bunting

Manufacturers instructions states that where the flow pipe drops away from the boiler there must be a AAV fitted to the top of the boiler.

A good quality AAV fitted on a well flushed and clean system, preferable raised a foot or so above the boiler to prevent overheating, yes they can be a source of leaks but they are required so i fit them.

Outkast_IRE

JohnnieK wrote: »

If the system is ever drained there is no way of venting the boilers heat exchanger now the vent has been removed.

Cheap auto air vents are crap. The more expensive ones like Flamco are normally solid.

Thats the brand i was trying to think of, the amount of them i have fitted to replace cheaper leaking ones over the years is unreal, the flamco ones are a great item and the only ones i fit myself..

danjo-xx

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Manufacturers instructions states that where the flow pipe drops away from the boiler there must be a AAV fitted to the top of the boiler.

A good quality AAV fitted on a well flushed and clean system, preferable raised a foot or so above the boiler to prevent overheating, yes they can be a source of leaks but they are required so i fit them.

Unfortunately mine is old and was not well maintained by previous owners.

If I was to replace the AAV with a good quality one, is there any type that might allow the attachment of a hose to direct any leaks away from the boiler and into a basin or bowl to prevent further rusting of the boiler.

JohnnieK

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

JohnnieK wrote: »

If the system is ever drained there is no way of venting the boilers heat exchanger now the vent has been removed.

Cheap auto air vents are crap. The more expensive ones like Flamco are normally solid.

Thats the brand i was trying to think of, the amount of them i have fitted to replace cheaper leaking ones over the years is unreal, the flamco ones are a great item and the only ones i fit myself..

It's a pity about the price of them but you get what you pay for. Where do you get them from?

Outkast_IRE

JohnnieK wrote: »

It's a pity about the price of them but you get what you pay for. Where do you get them from?

Irish international trading in cork, theres a really good plumbing section there. if you ever happen to be on a job down this direction

JohnnieK

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Irish international trading in cork, theres a really good plumbing section there. if you ever happen to be on a job down this direction

:D:D. I'll pass the jobs on to you. DPL charge a pretty penny for them.

gdavis

if possible i always install a mini valve beneath aav so can turn off and replace if necessary

danjo-xx

Since the AAV was capped there are no more leaks from it.

Still a lot of water on the ground at both sides of boiler and under
burner which I dried up today to check where it was coming from.

No obvious sign where it was coming from but with in minutes could see the ground getting slightly damp again. So something still weeping/leaking.

Seems to be coming from bottom of boiler but not sure as there was another problem with something like crystalised water or like 'slush' which seems to be oozing out between the burner cover and the boiler wall.

The system was flushed 2yrs ago (see pic for stuff used) and I wonder if this stuff is the cause of the leaks.

Billy Bunting

Your boiler is covered with fibreglass under the steel cover, any leak fro the AAV will have soaked the fibreglass and will take time to dry out.

danjo-xx

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Your boiler is covered with fibreglass under the steel cover, any leak fro the AAV will have soaked the fibreglass and will take time to dry out.

thanks for that but how is the water getting outside the casing, to the ground now, is it thru the seams or are there slots in the casing underneath.


Pardon my ignorance on all this.

Billy Bunting

There is simply gaps at the folds in the steel, it should all dry up after a few days or so of use, if not you have a leak.

danjo-xx

Outkast_IRE wrote: »

Thats the brand i was trying to think of, the amount of them i have fitted to replace cheaper leaking ones over the years is unreal, the flamco ones are a great item and the only ones i fit myself..

Is this the type you mean, only €12 on ebay.

1/2" Flamco Flexvent Automatic Air Vent.

Supplied complete with Shut Off Valve.

Suitable for venting of air from heating and chilled systems with additives of glycol (max 50%).

JohnnieK

That's the one all right. Is that price including shipping?

danjo-xx

JohnnieK wrote: »

That's the one all right. Is that price including shipping?

It's €3.67 for shipping.

works out at €16.07 all in. http://www.ebay.ie/itm/300665093702?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649