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Got a combi boiler installed, water pressure in boiler dropping

  • 19-03-2019 9:51am
    #1
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,476 ✭✭✭✭


    I got a combi boiler installed about a year or so ago by a plumber. There was a few issues at the time where there was leaks after it was installed and the plumber came out and fixed them, or so I thought.

    After a while the boiler stopped working altogether and it turned out the water pressure had dropped completely at the boiler so likely a leak in the system. I have never had any such issue with the original boiler. The plumber told me to top up the system with water from the tank. This went on for a while where sometimes I would need to top up the system a few times a week, sometimes it seemed okay for a month or so. They tried putting some leak fixing fluid into the system but that didn't seem to help.

    It's back to needing to be topped up all the time now. I need a permanent fix, can anybody recommend a plumber that could fix this and also how much damage could be done to the boiler by constantly having to top up the water?

    I'm based in south Dublin.


Comments

  • #2
    jeepcj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 172 ✭✭jeepcj


    I'd be more worried about where the water is leaking and what damage that leaking water is doing


  • #3
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,476 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    jeepcj wrote: »
    I'd be more worried about where the water is leaking and what damage that leaking water is doing

    Cant see any visible leaks anywhere so not sure if the leak may be in the boiler itself.


  • #4
    Guy:Incognito
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 38,247 ✭✭✭✭Guy:Incognito


    Ush1 wrote: »
    Cant see any visible leaks anywhere so not sure if the leak may be in the boiler itself.

    If it was in the boiler its be leaking out underneath it.

    Was the new boiler a like for like replacement? Or was the system an open system before that was sealed once the new boiler went in?


  • #5
    spongerobinson
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 569 ✭✭✭spongerobinson


    Had a similar problem recently, although it wasn't a new boiler. In our case the expansion vessel was gone in the boiler which was causing the pressure to rise so high that the pressure release valve was opening and letting water out. New expansion vessel in the hot press has sorted the problem. Top up your pressure to 1bar and see how high it's rising - if it's getting to 3 bar the pressure valve will open and let water out the pipe.

    To add to this: I'd have thought a plumber would diagnose this, so probably a totally seperate issue you are having.


  • #6
    DGOBS
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 3,496 ✭✭✭DGOBS


    If it was in the boiler its be leaking out underneath it.

    Was the new boiler a like for like replacement? Or was the system an open system before that was sealed once the new boiler went in?

    Possibly not, as if its a condensing boiler and leak was on the heat exchanger, it would be dripping out the condensate line (not visible under the boiler)

    Simple test if you boiler is a system boiler (i.e. pump and safety valve and vessel are part of the boiler, not external to it), turn the power off to your boiler, and leave it off!
    Top up the heating system when cold to 1-1.5bar, and turn off both the flow and return valves to the boiler, leaving the boiler off, do not power the boiler in this state.
    Monitor the pressure gauge on the boiler over a few hours or maybe even overnight, if it drops, you know 100% the leak is on the boiler, if it doesn't drop and in the morning you open the valves and the pressure drops instantly, then you have confirmed there is a leak out on the system somewhere.

    As for using leak sealers, there is good and poor sealers out there, and the dosing quantity and method (in when cold, heat system, allow to cool etc) all have an affect on how well the profit works. (IMHO Oxipic and Tec7 Sealers are pretty good) but they are only a last resort when all other avenues have been checked and discounted.

    Over time you boiler and your heating system will have accelerated corrosion if it is constantly topped up with fresh oxygenated water. Once you have this issue resolved, make sure your system is properly inhibited by your plumber.


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  • #7
    Ush1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,476 ✭✭✭✭Ush1


    DGOBS wrote: »
    Possibly not, as if its a condensing boiler and leak was on the heat exchanger, it would be dripping out the condensate line (not visible under the boiler)

    Simple test if you boiler is a system boiler (i.e. pump and safety valve and vessel are part of the boiler, not external to it), turn the power off to your boiler, and leave it off!
    Top up the heating system when cold to 1-1.5bar, and turn off both the flow and return valves to the boiler, leaving the boiler off, do not power the boiler in this state.
    Monitor the pressure gauge on the boiler over a few hours or maybe even overnight, if it drops, you know 100% the leak is on the boiler, if it doesn't drop and in the morning you open the valves and the pressure drops instantly, then you have confirmed there is a leak out on the system somewhere.

    As for using leak sealers, there is good and poor sealers out there, and the dosing quantity and method (in when cold, heat system, allow to cool etc) all have an affect on how well the profit works. (IMHO Oxipic and Tec7 Sealers are pretty good) but they are only a last resort when all other avenues have been checked and discounted.

    Over time you boiler and your heating system will have accelerated corrosion if it is constantly topped up with fresh oxygenated water. Once you have this issue resolved, make sure your system is properly inhibited by your plumber.

    Thanks for that. Not sure if it's a system boiler, it's an ideal logic 24 combi. There is a pump for the hot water in the attic next to the tank for pressure.

    I will try the test you've described as soon as I can. I called a plumber under the warranty service to check if the leak was within the boiler in the meantime. I wasn't home at the time but he said there is no leak in the boiler that it might be under the floors. He was only there 15 mins and 125 quid! Hopefully he checked everything regarding the boiler properly.


  • #8
    DGOBS
    Hosted Moderators Posts: 3,496 ✭✭✭DGOBS


    Yes a combi will always be a system boiler


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