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Slow drip at 5 year old gas boiler

  • 28-03-2018 1:31pm
    #1
    daymobrew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,570 ✭✭✭


    I have a Worcester Greenstar 24i Mk IV condensing boilder installed in mid 2013. It is serviced annually. It is a closed system with a manual inlet (and pressure guage) in the hot press. I keep the water pressure around 1.5 bar.

    Climote with three zones runs the boiler.

    In the last month or two I have had to add some water to the system to keep the water pressure within the green area shown at the boiler (the boiler is running in this photo).

    I eventually noticed that there is water dripping down via a plastic strip under the boiler. Here is a view of the strip that extends upwards to a junction. Here is a view of the boiler (with strip highlighted) from the front.

    I placed a small bowl below the plastic strip. About 200ml leaked over one week.

    How concerned should I be?

    I have a service booked in for 12 April (the free SSE Airtricity one for renewing my contract with them).


Comments

  • #2
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    Who and why did someone put the pressure relief valve on the copper pipe??

    446787.jpg


  • #3
    daymobrew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,570 ✭✭✭daymobrew


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    Who and why did someone put the pressure relief valve on the copper pipe??

    446787.jpg
    During the last service (June 2017) I told the plumber that it was losing pressure. He felt that the pressure relief valve (?), which would kick in if the pressure got over 3 bar (something I've never seen) would open and maybe it was getting stuck. If stuck then water would escape from the system through that pressure relief pipe.


  • #4
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    daymobrew wrote: »
    During the last service (June 2017) I told the plumber that it was losing pressure. He felt that the pressure relief valve (?), which would kick in if the pressure got over 3 bar (something I've never seen) would open and maybe it was getting stuck. If stuck then water would escape from the system through that pressure relief pipe.


    There is already a pressure relief valve built into the boiler, which if it is faulty, should be replaced.
    On no account should a second pressure relief valve be put on the line.
    If too much pressure is building up on the heating system the cause needs to be identified and rectified and placing a second prv on the line is not the solution and it should be removed.


  • #5
    Wearb
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators Posts: 6,378 Mod ✭✭✭✭Wearb


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    There is already a pressure relief valve built into the boiler, which if it is faulty, should be replaced.
    On no account should a second pressure relief valve be put on the line.
    If too much pressure is building up on the heating system the cause needs to be identified and rectified and placing a second prv on the line is not the solution and it should be removed.

    Some time ago, I had this discussion here on Boards. In the end one of the guys set it up in a workshop and found that putting two 3 bar PRV's in series (one after the other on the same line) needed ~6 bar pressure before they relieved the pressure. This is way above the manufacturer recommended pressure and could result in catastrophic release of scalding water should the boiler or any associated pipework rupture.

    As K.Flyer said, the cause (depleted, broken or poorly sized vessel) should always be fixed before replacing the PRV.

    Please follow site and charter rules. "Resistance is futile"



  • #6
    daymobrew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,570 ✭✭✭daymobrew


    K.Flyer wrote: »
    There is already a pressure relief valve built into the boiler, which if it is faulty, should be replaced.
    On no account should a second pressure relief valve be put on the line.
    If too much pressure is building up on the heating system the cause needs to be identified and rectified and placing a second prv on the line is not the solution and it should be removed.
    As I have never seen the boiler pressure gauge in its red zone, and considering the source of the water (the top of the white plastic strip), any thoughts as to the issue here?

    (What is the purpose of the plastic strip?)


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  • #7
    K.Flyer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,565 ✭✭✭K.Flyer


    daymobrew wrote: »
    As I have never seen the boiler pressure gauge in its red zone, and considering the source of the water (the top of the white plastic strip), any thoughts as to the issue here?

    (What is the purpose of the plastic strip?)

    If I remember correctly the plastic strip is a lever to lock in the built in pressure relief valve.
    I would think that if water has been previously passing through the pipe, then either the expansion vessel needs attention or the pressure relief valve is faulty, or both.
    Putting the second valve on the pipe is a very unprofessional and amateur approach to the problem, and I would be concerned if they really knew what they were doing.
    I would think the built in valve is now leaking, or due to excessive pressure, another component near it has started to leak.
    You need to get someone else in to investigate and rectify the problem properly.


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