Water not heating up fully..

toby2111

This past week or more, I've noticed that while our rads are heating up fine, the shower and hot water from the taps is warm but not as hot as previous. I turned down thermostat earlier to heat just the water and the wife said the water was much hotter. Turned it back up and water from kitchen tap is warm but not hot. Anyone know of a possible cause /solution to this? Before I pay a plumber!

Billy Bunting

Have you touched any valves in the hot press ?

toby2111

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Have you touched any valves in the hot press ?

No, nothings been touched.

Billy Bunting

On the cylinders return pipe there is a balancing valve, it sounds like the system Is finding it easier to pump to the rads rather than the cylinder, by cracking open this valve you will allow the system to flow to the cylinder easier, crack it open just a half turn.

If unsure of valve, pictures would help us point it out to you.

toby2111

Trying to attach photo on phone so bear with me!

toby2111

Pictures - if that's the valve, do I turn it away from me or towards me?

Billy Bunting

Pics a bit too close, step back and get cylinder in.

toby2111

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Pics a bit too close, step back and get cylinder in.

Ok, heres another one

toby2111

And another

Billy Bunting

toby2111 wrote: »

Pictures - if that's the valve, do I turn it away from me or towards me?

Turn it anti-clockwise just a half turn then see how it is.

toby2111

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Turn it anti-clockwise just a half turn then see how it is.

Cheers, I'll do that. Is it the lower of the 2 red valves?

Billy Bunting

The large one just above the motorised valve, lowest of the 3

You should also remove the head once all is working so its not tampered with, also remove the head on the small valve, middle of the 3, it shouldn't be there.

Billy Bunting

Oh! and stick a few screws in that immersion switch.

Kristopherus

You'd want to seal up that double switch in the background.

toby2111

Will do, thanks. Should there be an immediate improvement in water temperature? The heatings been off since 7.30. Rads still warm though.

Billy Bunting

should see a difference in an hr

toby2111

Lads, I turned that valve half turn anti clockwise but this morning the water was actually colder again! So, should I go another half turn anti clockwise or go the opposite direction? Or just get a plumber out?

toby2111

No hot water at all now, gonna turn it clockwise a few turns.

Billy Bunting

Check that small valve (that shouldn't be there)is open, and check for water in the expansion tank, also open the small cap on the auto air vent at top of flow pipe.

toby2111

Billy Bunting wrote: »

Check that small valve (that shouldn't be there)is open, and check for water in the expansion tank, also open the small cap on the auto air vent at top of flow pipe.

Both the other valves are fully open.
Haven't a clue were or what the cap on the auto air vent is! No idea about plumbing so basic terminology needed!

Billy Bunting

toby2111 wrote: »

Haven't a clue were or what the cap on the auto air vent is! No idea about plumbing so basic terminology needed!

Its on the small brass cylidrical pot just above the large valve you adjusted, but perhaps if you have no clue a plumber should be your next port of call before we sent you climbing around the loft. :eek:

toby2111

Yeh, I'll ring plumber tomorrow. Does it sound like a big/ expensive job? Or just a little tweaking here and there? There is hot water in rads , just not hot enough coming from the taps and shower.

Billy Bunting

Not a big job i would think.

toby2111

Fingers crossed! Thanks for the help, appreciate it.