Help identifying outside pipe/heating

Help identifying outside pipe/heating

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Discussion

RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
We have just moved in and yet to arrange for the boiler to be serviced and checked.
A couple of questions for the more informed if you don't mind.

Is this pipe the cold water fill over flow? It seems to be leaking constantly
Is it a case of locating the tank in the roof and changing The ballcock?

Is the hot water supply pressurised and is it right that the hot water seems VERY hot, is there any way of turning the temp down?
Here is a pic of the tank


Many thanks.

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

163 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
That's the overflow for the tank, you need to restore the air gap in the tank - instructions on the side. Do that ASAP.

There is no tank in the loft, that's what you have right there, it is a pressurised megaflow system - Google it so you can learn.

Your boiler will have a stat for the hot water on it.

Not 100% sure on this one but as that pipe effectively dumps hot water I think it should have a guard / cover on it.

Edited by MajorProblem on Sunday 4th October 17:57

netherfield

2,668 posts

183 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
Follow the 15mm pipe which comes out three quarters of a way on the cylinder, below the T is a tundish,black plastic thingy, is there any water dripping there, if so then the pressure release valve,where that pipe comes out,is not seating correctly,not a DIY job,that cylinder is a virtual bomb if not done properly.

Lower down on the tank there should be a thermostat which you can turn down for hot temp, or turn down the boiler temp.

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

163 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
Water is getting past the prv because of the air gap needing to be restored, ergo prv working fine.

OP follow instructions on side of tank to restore the air gap, turn the water temp down on the boiler and Google Megaflow heating system.

RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
Ok this is a picture of the tundish, no leaks but maybe a little crusty.

The system says to turn off the cold water supply, is this the main supply to the house? It also says to hold open the temp/pressure relief value, is the below image that? Does it just turn?


Wouldn't normally stress but away for a few weeks from tomorrow.

eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

LookAtMyCat

464 posts

107 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
Actually, the air bubble being depleted is only 1 of a fair number of scenarios that can lead to this. Some amateur hour advice here. If it is leaking constantly it is unlikely to be the bubble.

That is the D2 discharge pipe from your unvented cylinder. There are 2 valves on the cylinder which could be releasing the water into it and you'll need a G3 ticketed engineer to find out which one. If the water is very hot it could be the TPRV so you need to get it looked at asap to find out what the circumstances leading to discharge are.


MajorProblem said:
That's the overflow for the tank, you need to restore the air gap in the tank - instructions on the side. Do that ASAP.

There is no tank in the loft, that's what you have right there, it is a pressurised megaflow system - Google it so you can learn.

Your boiler will have a stat for the hot water on it.

Not 100% sure on this one but as that pipe effectively dumps hot water I think it should have a guard / cover on it.

Edited by MajorProblem on Sunday 4th October 17:57
Honestly mate why give advice on something you clearly have absolutely no idea about. 3 of those 4 sentences are incorrect.

Edited by LookAtMyCat on Sunday 4th October 20:06


Edited by LookAtMyCat on Sunday 4th October 20:07

MajorProblem

4,700 posts

163 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
So is there any harm in restoring the air gap before doing anything else? process of elimination and all that.

Also it won't do any harm to learn about your plumbing system so that you can in 99.999999999% of occasions sort it out yourself.




Edited by MajorProblem on Sunday 4th October 20:37

silversurfer1

918 posts

135 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all


Id doubt that pipe is the discharge from the cylinder as its only 15mm so would not conform to the regulations, if you look the outlet from the tundish is 22mm.

My guess is its the discharge from the boiler new prv and expansion recharge req


ss



eldar

21,614 posts

195 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
silversurfer1 said:
Id doubt that pipe is the discharge from the cylinder as its only 15mm so would not conform to the regulations, if you look the outlet from the tundish is 22mm.

My guess is its the discharge from the boiler new prv and expansion recharge req


ss
Looks like 22mm to me, judging by the size of the hole in the brickwork. Can the OP tell us?

LookAtMyCat

464 posts

107 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
It is very clearly 22mm.

A constant small discharge from a boiler PRV would rarely be the requirement of an expansion vessel re-charge.


I honestly do not know why people comment on topics they do not have knowledge off. I wouldn't try to give advice on a topic about electrics, because i'm not an electrician. I don't know why you do it.

RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Sunday 4th October 2015
quotequote all
Ok, the pipe under the tundish is 22mm. The external drain is 28mm. I got SWMBO to tip a little water down the tundish Pipe and it came out of the drain.

Now,
I went to replenish the air gap in the tap and followed the procedure.
Turned off water supply- Ran the cold tap for 5 seconds until ran dry.OK
Opened lowest hot tap - About two drops from hot tap then nothing.
Went up to tank and twisted the valve open and nothing. No water and no gurgling. What to do now?


Thinking about it there has only been a slight damp patch occasionally under the external drain. Tonight there was a small puddle (more than ever before hence the investigation) Now, (about 4 hrs later) it just damp again.

Your thoughts, if you don't mind..

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
Is the puddle being formed by the larger or smaller diameter copper pipe?
It looks like the smaller one as it's more central to the water, unless the tarmac is on a slope? Put your finger over the end and see if it's wet.

Larger (28mm did you say?) would be from the cylinder. Upped from 22mm below the tundish due to the pipe run distance. The smaller diameter pipe (22mm was mentioned), would be from the boilers circuit. Upper from 15mm to 22mm for the same reason.

Ideally there should be a guard over them yes. But rarely found fitted.


RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
Sorry the first photo is misleading. The larger pipe actually runs to ground. The smaller 28mm pipe in the foreground terminates just above ground level to act as a drain.

dirkgently

2,160 posts

230 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
Symptom: likely cause

constant cold drip: Pressure reducing valve failure or blending valve failure.
Drip while heating up: Expansion vessel/ bubble needs recharging.
discharging very hot water: Thermostat failure.

Not an exhaustive list but may help.

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
RevsPerMinute said:
Sorry the first photo is misleading. The larger pipe actually runs to ground. The smaller 28mm pipe in the foreground terminates just above ground level to act as a drain.
My problem, browsing on a phone screen!

RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
Thankyou.
I don't believe it is a constant drip, and more likely only when it's getting up to temp. Will check the temp of the discharge.

I will get my guy out to check it out, at least I understand the basic mechanics now so thanks.
Also turned the hot water temp down, embarrassed I didn't know how now!

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
RevsPerMinute said:
Also turned the hot water temp down, embarrassed I didn't know how now!
On the cylinder or boiler? What was wrong with it before the fiddling!?

RevsPerMinute

Original Poster:

1,874 posts

220 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
Temp down on boiler. Hot water was scolding hot before.
Next you're going to tell me we are all going to die from legionnaires!

Gingerbread Man

9,171 posts

212 months

Monday 5th October 2015
quotequote all
RevsPerMinute said:
Temp down on boiler. Hot water was scolding hot before.
Next you're going to tell me we are all going to die from legionnaires!
If it was scalding, that could be your answer.