Hi, first time poster, so might not have all the info ppl will require to give an answer but please just ask and I will do my best to give that info...

Glowworm
Ultracom18sxi

Installed 2010.

Council house, serviced Oct/Nov 2011

Thought out 2011 the psi had been dropping from 1.4 to below 0.9.. add to that the water prseure getting worse I was relieved to see the engineer.

Good chap, told me I was doing two things wrong, a) topping up boiler with the flexi hose b) thinking that would make a difference to the speed of the water coming from taps.

So he took flexi hose off and pressurised the system. Again I could have more than one tap on without running dry.

He said finding a leak, if there was one, is hard but to keep my eye on the psi.

So its now Jan 10, in 60 days the psi has gone from 1.3 to 1.0, I no my system will stop working at .4 so rang my council today. They said its find, the boiler will go from .5 to 2.5 with out any problems.

I understand when its being used the psi will go up and down but if its cold then pressure should stay the same? My boiler is not used between 09-00 and 18-00 daily.

So should I just wait until the pressure drops to .4 or can I push the matter and say something else (advice from here maybe).

Regards OtgUK.

Hi OTG

You probably have a veeeerrrrry minor leak somewhere, most likely one of the radiator valves, With the system cold, go round and check the valves for any signs of leaks..you'll need to take the caps off the valves,,,as said, this will be just a little weep somewhere which may not be visible..runnind a (Dry) finger around the valves may help you find the leak..

_________________
.

If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

http://www.donnasdreamhouse.co.uk/


__________________________________
__________________________________

Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

OK, I will have a look. Only have one rad that's a pain to get to valves, best start there...

If leak is stopped will the system sort its self out or will I need to do something else? Lets find the leak first, walk, no running...

If I cant see any leaks or signs of leakage....! Stop, it will be easy

The fact that you are slowly loosing pressure would indicat a small water loss somewhere..once that's sorted, the pressure in the boiler won't drop any further..

_________________
.

If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

http://www.donnasdreamhouse.co.uk/


__________________________________
__________________________________

Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

Agree - check all radiators valves including the bleed valves. Any drain off points and compression/soldered joints that are visible. Dry finger is the best tool.

_________________
Your problem is now our problem

Hi,

Went around all rads, tightened up everything on them. Most were loose but only one had anything that looked dodgy (can you post pics here?)

So I top up the tank and get 1.4... (took flexi hose off again)

That was two weeks ago and am already down to 1.0. So it looks like I have made things worse in some why (more leaks) or at least speeded up the leaking!

So ideas plz...

Did you take the valve caps off and check the glands.

The man/woman you spoke to is an idiot.

Continually topping up will cause sludge and corrosion. and very quickly effect the hot water production.

The pressure gauge shouldn't rise more than 0.6-0.8 from cold, or the vessel is undersized or needs the pre-charge topping up.

Get on to them and bend a few ears.

Is it plastic pipe as a matter of interest.

There's a how to post pics in the index.

_________________
If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

donnas-dream-house-charity-t52110.html

Two pics..

Valve Cap(now how do I get that off?) and the iffy valve/joint?

Will wire-brush and see if there is anything lose!

Your second pic is brilliant. That's exactly what I'm talking about, "The packing gland is leaking"

Take the cap off, clean the crud off, and there's a small nut over the spindle if you pinch up should stop the leak.

Best to do it when the system is cold, and check them all, don't worry about the TRV's in the first pic.

_________________
If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

donnas-dream-house-charity-t52110.html

Hi,

Job done, instead of just hoping that all the others where tight enough I went around and did those to. Good job I did as three others had water/powder under cap, so four in total , the others were not as tight as I would have like either.

So everything tight, water topped up, reading 1.4 (just looked again says 1.5) so lets see what a couple of days/weeks does.

Thanks for all the help

Will report back soon...

Just came in and the psi reading is 1.3 :-(

Plan B ideas.....

Stick with plan A for now, check the valves again with the system cold....

_________________
.

If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

http://www.donnasdreamhouse.co.uk/


__________________________________
__________________________________

Verwood Handyman
I Know it says I'm On-line, but I might have just left myself logged in, whilst I'm out....

1.3 bar is within range

_________________
If you feel you have benefited from the Free advice given on the Forum, Please consider making a donation to UHM's Nominated charity, read all about it and donate here :

donnas-dream-house-charity-t52110.html

True & if it stayed at that all would be fine but its now 1.2... (was topped up and read 1.5 after first tightening)

Will re-check values hopefully over weekend...