Gas boiler assistance needed please

forumdedum

Hi,

When the Baxi Gas Boiler is switched on in the house the living room radiator gets extremely hot within 2 or 3 minutes, maybe even less.

Also, would you mind looking at the attached photograph of the bar reading and advise please? You can see from the 2nd photo attached that the bar reading should be between 0.2 and 2.5. How long should the heating be switched on before this bar moves into that position? Or should the reading be between 0.2 and 2.5 even when the heating is not switched on?

This boiler was serviced (established company/qualified) only the other day and no mention was made of this.

We also think the water should be hotter.

Advice appreciated. I'm sorry for any basic questions but I am trying to help a man in a house currently suffering from bad anxiety attacks and this is really making him worse.

Thank you.

1hnr79jr65

Generally the pressure of your boiler should be around 1 to 1.5 bar. From my own boiler this would only go up to 2.2 bar when active, in relation to the pressure you need to get the servicing company back to correct the issue.

As for heat in the sitting room, if the thermostat valve is not having affect on reducing the initial blast of temperature then try adjusting the valve on opposite, removing screw and taking off white plastic cap will allow access to valve, then using a spanner or pliers, slowly turn the valve clockwise about 3/4 a turn (as long as this does not completely shut of flow which you will know from not being able to turn further). This will adjust the flow of hot water through the system, if unsure on doing this, then raise same concern with servicing company.

forumdedum

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

Generally the pressure of your boiler should be around 1 to 1.5 bar. From my own boiler this would only go up to 2.2 bar when active, in relation to the pressure you need to get the servicing company back to correct the issue.

As for heat in the sitting room, if the thermostat valve is not having affect on reducing the initial blast of temperature then try adjusting the valve on opposite, removing screw and taking off white plastic cap will allow access to valve, then using a spanner or pliers, slowly turn the valve clockwise about 3/4 a turn (as long as this does not completely shut of flow which you will know from not being able to turn further). This will adjust the flow of hot water through the system, if unsure on doing this, then raise same concern with servicing company.

Thank you for this. I will contact the servicing company.

There is no thermostat in the house and no thermostat on the radiators. It is a very old system. However, the boiler is about 5 years old.

For the man's peace of mind (and perhaps a silly question on my part) is this dangerous?

1hnr79jr65

If the pressure is too low is can damage the system a 5 yo boiler should have a flow valve for water under or beside it, if unsure how to adjust and repressurise system then leave the boiler off, deactivate the timer for automatic use and wait to get servicing company back in.

General rule i follow, is if it doesn't feel right or you are not comfortable, then don't do it and get it fixed by those who can asap.

And yes could be dangerous if pressure drops too much as the heat exchange could be trying to heat just air in system if water is gone, may need to get a flush of your radiator system to clear any blockages and check each valve for leaks.

There is a device on the boiler that should stop the boiler from dry firing.

The guage should only read 1-1 1/2bar cold if you have a mains fed heating system, but there are a lot of boilers that are water tank fed then you will see much lower values on the guage as it only shows the impact of gravity which is dependent on the height of the water tank.

Personally I’d leave it off until it’s looked at and if your not happy with the outcome I’d look for. Second opinion.

forumdedum

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

If the pressure is too low is can damage the system a 5 yo boiler should have a flow valve for water under or beside it, if unsure how to adjust and repressurise system then leave the boiler off, deactivate the timer for automatic use and wait to get servicing company back in.

General rule i follow, is if it doesn't feel right or you are not comfortable, then don't do it and get it fixed by those who can asap.

And yes could be dangerous if pressure drops too much as the heat exchange could be trying to heat just air in system if water is gone, may need to get a flush of your radiator system to clear any blockages and check each valve for leaks.

Thank you for this. I have attached a photo underneath the boiler. There are 2 black valve type things. Are these what is used to re pressurise?

forumdedum

Sour Lemonz wrote: »

And yes could be dangerous if pressure drops too much as the heat exchange could be trying to heat just air in system if water is gone, may need to get a flush of your radiator system to clear any blockages and check each valve for leaks.

Can I assume that if the heating is not switched on then it remains safe?

pm1977x

forumdedum wrote: »

Thank you for this. I have attached a photo underneath the boiler. There are 2 black valve type things. Are these what is used to re pressurise?

No, don't mess with these. I have a Baxi (gravity fed) and it is often nearly at zero when off. It has no flow valve, think it had a loop for repressuring so our plumber put a valve up near the hot water tank so we could do it when necessary.

forumdedum

pm1977x wrote: »

No, don't mess with these. I have a Baxi (gravity fed) and it is often nearly at zero when off. It has no flow valve, think it had a loop for repressuring so our plumber put a valve up near the hot water tank so we could do it when necessary.

Thank you very much for this. I will heed your advice.

pm1977x

forumdedum wrote: »

Can I assume that if the heating is not switched on then it remains safe?

Yes. Also, as someone said above, it (most likely) has a failsafe to stop it dry firing. I know when my Baxi has no pressure it will try to fire but then cut off and the appropriate warning symbol will light. Others will know for sure but I think with a 5 year old boiler it should be very safe and you can only make it dangerous if you go tinkering with it.

It has a fail safe or more precisely a switch that is made in response to water movement generated by the boiler pump.

I don’t trust anything or anyone till proven otherwise so I would advise leaving the boiler off until the questions that have been raised are answered, every home owner should know what kind of heating system they have, how it’s filled and what water pressure is it set to sand how much movement is allowed on the guage as the heating system gets hotter, this is important information.

shopper2011

IMO you need to balance and bleed your radiators and it will solve alot of your worries. If you had the boiler serviced you should be grand. To knock off the heating in December/January is bad advice. However do ring the plumber and ask him back. Nobody on boards.ie understands your system. The best person is yourself getting to know it and the plumber who serviced it.
Youtube has loads of videos on how to balance and bleed radiators. What is the difference between gravity fed and presurised systems. Find out yourself which you have while the heating is on and waiting for the plumber to call back. When he does call back, ask loads of questions.

forumdedum

A very big thank you to you all for your advice.

shopper2011

shopper2011 wrote: »

IMO you need to balance and bleed your radiators and it will solve alot of your worries. If you had the boiler serviced you should be grand. To knock off the heating in December/January is bad advice. However do ring the plumber and ask him back. Nobody on boards.ie understands your system. The best person is yourself getting to know it and the plumber who serviced it.
Youtube has loads of videos on how to balance and bleed radiators. What is the difference between gravity fed and presurised systems. Find out yourself which you have while the heating is on and waiting for the plumber to call back. When he does call back, ask loads of questions.

I’m a City and Guilds qualified gas service engineer and have worked as a gas boiler manufacturers senior technician for 15 years, the advice given is based on safety and not practicality.