Diagnosis - before possibly calling in plumber

Avatar MIA

Before Christmas the water went at the mains (think the council turned off the water) - once the water came back on, but some days later there was a red residue coming from the hot water taps. Since then it's had a constant red colouration. Very much noticeable in the hot water, but I think it's affecting the cold water less so.

This brought our attention to something else that has been happening recently and that's the hot water leeching/leaking away.

I went up into the attic and found the water tank coated in rust red residue. So, that was the colouration problem. I've cleaned this off (once off due to council water issue dredging up some soil?).

However, I noticed hot water flowing into the water tank in the attic - why would this be happening - shouldn't it be going the other way? Also, my wife has noticed water coming out of the overflow pipe at the side of the house.

Is it possible some red soil/residue has damaged the water boiler (boiler less than a year old). The radiators are still heating fine.

Why was the hot water much more affected than the cold water seeing as the residue was in the water tank.

Once I emptied out the water tank I tested the water flowing in from the hot inlet and it appeared clear (now at least)

Any ideas?

K.Flyer

Was the hot water flowing into your attic tank from the pipe that hangs over the tank and was the central heating on at the same time?

Sleeper12

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Before Christmas the water went at the mains (think the council turned off the water) - once the water came back on, but some days later there was a red residue coming from the hot water taps. Since then it's had a constant red colouration. Very much noticeable in the hot water, but I think it's affecting the cold water less so.

This brought our attention to something else that has been happening recently and that's the hot water leeching/leaking away.

I went up into the attic and found the water tank coated in rust red residue. So, that was the colouration problem. I've cleaned this off (once off due to council water issue dredging up some soil?).

However, I noticed hot water flowing into the water tank in the attic - why would this be happening - shouldn't it be going the other way? Also, my wife has noticed water coming out of the overflow pipe at the side of the house.

Is it possible some red soil/residue has damaged the water boiler (boiler less than a year old). The radiators are still heating fine.

Why was the hot water much more affected than the cold water seeing as the residue was in the water tank.

Once I emptied out the water tank I tested the water flowing in from the hot inlet and it appeared clear (now at least)

Any ideas?

When you say hot water is flowing into the cold water tank, from where? Are you talking about the expansion pipe? This is the pipe over the tank

Avatar MIA

Sleeper12 wrote: »

When you say hot water is flowing into the cold water tank, from where? Are you talking about the expansion pipe? This is the pipe over the tank

There is a pipe hanging over the water tank, but there's no water coming from there.

The hot water is flowing into the tank near the base of the water tank. When I emptied all the water it was still trickling into the attic tank.

Thanks

Avatar MIA

K.Flyer wrote: »

Was the hot water flowing into your attic tank from the pipe that hangs over the tank and was the central heating on at the same time?

Sorry, just saw this now. The central heating is on intermittently over the Christmas period. There doesn't appear to be any water coming from the pipe hanging over the tank.

K.Flyer

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Sorry, just saw this now. The central heating is on intermittently over the Christmas period. There doesn't appear to be any water coming from the pipe hanging over the tank.

It sounds to me that the heating coil inside your hot water cylinder has a leak in it and the cylinder will need to be replaced.

Avatar MIA

K.Flyer wrote: »

It sounds to me that the heating coil inside your hot water cylinder has a leak in it and the cylinder will need to be replaced.

Replace the heating coil and the whole copper cylinder?

So, is that copper that's flowing around the system?

K.Flyer

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Replace the heating coil and the whole copper cylinder?

So, is that copper that's flowing around the system?

Yes, if needs be.
No its not copper in the water.
Do you have a smaller water tank above the larger attic tank, if not, how is the water pressure maintained in the heating system?

Avatar MIA

K.Flyer wrote: »

Yes, if needs be.
No its not copper in the water.
Do you have a smaller water tank above the larger attic tank, if not, how is the water pressure maintained in the heating system?

No smaller tank above the larger attic tank (that I see). The water pressure dropped in the heating system as well (this morning) once I cleared out the attic water tank. Actually the entire pressure dropped, maybe the heating system is still filling.

The water was trickling into toilet cistern and lastly the cold water taps in the up stairs bathrooms. The cold water taps didn't start to run until the cisterns were full.

The water pressure in bathroom taps is still a little weak.

K.Flyer

Avatar MIA wrote: »

No smaller tank above the larger attic tank (that I see). The water pressure dropped in the heating system as well (this morning) once I cleared out the attic water tank. Actually the entire pressure dropped, maybe the heating system is still filling.

The water was trickling into toilet cistern and lastly the cold water taps in the up stairs bathrooms. The cold water taps didn't start to run until the cisterns were full.

The water pressure in bathroom taps is still a little weak.

You need to get a good plumber out to check your plumbing and heating system to find where the faults are.

Avatar MIA

K.Flyer wrote: »

You need to get a good plumber out to check your plumbing and heating system to find where the faults are.

Cheers, I think you're right.

Dtp1979

Avatar MIA wrote: »

Cheers, I think you're right.

Have you an automatic filler to top up your heating?

Avatar MIA

Dtp1979 wrote: »

Have you an automatic filler to top up your heating?

Hi, I think so. It just fills itself as and when needed.

Following up on the advice above I've looked into the "symptoms" and it looks like all my problems are caused by the faulty cylinder with a probable leak - even the hot water flowing back into the attic tank.

So, looks like I need to get this replaced.