Plumbing issue when heating is on
Discussion
Welcome any thoughts on this…
Son has an issue in the flat he has recently moved to in London
Their cold water tap has a very strong rubbery chemical taste, but only if the heating has recently been on.
Neighbours do not have an issue, & Thames Water have no works going on.
If he runs the cold tap for 5+ minutes, the taste issue disappears.
Sounds faintly worrying to me.
The agent is being awkward about sending anyone to investigate, to the point they have ‘threatened’ that if they do and nothing is found, son will have to pay. Obviously I have told him to call their bluff on that - if it isn’t right, then something must be wrong!
He has done some research, & found these possibilities:
If your cold water changes after using the heating, it suggests possible backflow or cross-connection, which shouldn’t happen. Potential issues include:
• Incorrectly installed plumbing – where hot and cold pipes are joined or run too close.
• Faulty mixer taps – where hot water pressure forces water into cold lines (especially if the hot is at higher pressure, like with combi boilers).
• Shared or contaminated storage tank – more common in older buildings with rooftop or communal water tanks. sounds unlikely if the neighbours say theirs is fine
• Dead legs or stagnation – sections of pipe that allow warm or contaminated water to sit and mix into the cold supply.
I’ve suggested he ask the agency/landlord when the boiler was last serviced, & who did it (partly to check they don’t just send Ronnie Bodgett back to declare the system he fscked up is fine!)
Also to ask what changes there might have been to any plumbing in the past 2 years (previous tenants may have ignored it!)
Finally, to use bottled water and insist they send someone to investigate: if the problem is clear, then it is clear there is a problem!
Any other thoughts or suggestions, or is that about all for starters?!
Thanks
Son has an issue in the flat he has recently moved to in London
Their cold water tap has a very strong rubbery chemical taste, but only if the heating has recently been on.
Neighbours do not have an issue, & Thames Water have no works going on.
If he runs the cold tap for 5+ minutes, the taste issue disappears.
Sounds faintly worrying to me.
The agent is being awkward about sending anyone to investigate, to the point they have ‘threatened’ that if they do and nothing is found, son will have to pay. Obviously I have told him to call their bluff on that - if it isn’t right, then something must be wrong!
He has done some research, & found these possibilities:
If your cold water changes after using the heating, it suggests possible backflow or cross-connection, which shouldn’t happen. Potential issues include:
• Incorrectly installed plumbing – where hot and cold pipes are joined or run too close.
• Faulty mixer taps – where hot water pressure forces water into cold lines (especially if the hot is at higher pressure, like with combi boilers).
• Shared or contaminated storage tank – more common in older buildings with rooftop or communal water tanks. sounds unlikely if the neighbours say theirs is fine
• Dead legs or stagnation – sections of pipe that allow warm or contaminated water to sit and mix into the cold supply.
I’ve suggested he ask the agency/landlord when the boiler was last serviced, & who did it (partly to check they don’t just send Ronnie Bodgett back to declare the system he fscked up is fine!)
Also to ask what changes there might have been to any plumbing in the past 2 years (previous tenants may have ignored it!)
Finally, to use bottled water and insist they send someone to investigate: if the problem is clear, then it is clear there is a problem!
Any other thoughts or suggestions, or is that about all for starters?!
Thanks
I suspect the heating is a red herring or certainly adding to a problem, rather than it being the problem. I had this many years ago and it was the dishwasher (can happen with other alliances). The fill pipe was back flowing into the cold water pipe. I fitted a one way valve to it and sorted. Some machines come with a one way pipe/valve as standard. Just a guess, but have a look.
sherman said:
I would get in touch with the water company to prove its definetly from within the flat.
Its the only way the landlord will accept it is hiz problem
Well, the neighbouring flat tells them their water is fine…& if they don’t have their heating on, there is no problem.Its the only way the landlord will accept it is hiz problem
Road2Ruin said:
I suspect the heating is a red herring or certainly adding to a problem, rather than it being the problem. I had this many years ago and it was the dishwasher (can happen with other alliances). The fill pipe was back flowing into the cold water pipe. I fitted a one way valve to it and sorted. Some machines come with a one way pipe/valve as standard. Just a guess, but have a look.
They were there 2 weeks (heating wasn’t on) with no issue….then they neeed the heating on, & the issue became apparent. Must me something linked to that.(Oh, & the one thing missing in the flat is a dishwasher, so it isn’t that…but that was almost a showstopper for them
)jeremyc said:
I think I'd be inviting the agent round for a glass of cold water. 
Then when they agree there is a problem they might do more to fix it.
Heh heh - good idea!Then when they agree there is a problem they might do more to fix it.
Road2Ruin said:
Doesn't have to be a dishwasher, can be a washing machine too. And as I said, the heating may contribute, due to warming other pipes, but not necessarily be the origin of the taste.
We had a similar problem (although I didn't notice it to be connected with the heating being on), it was flow back from the washer. I think in our case it was to some extent due to the hose being a bit deteriorated and being longer than it needed to be (it was positioned above the supply valve).Water tasted disgusting first thing in the morning.
Can I also suggest the condense pipe from the boiler if there is one.
Basically disconnect everything you can from the main water supply (usually under the kitchen sink) and see if the problem goes away.
Or talk to a plumber and ask them to take a look. They will often see issues just by looking at the pipework.
HTH
M
Basically disconnect everything you can from the main water supply (usually under the kitchen sink) and see if the problem goes away.
Or talk to a plumber and ask them to take a look. They will often see issues just by looking at the pipework.
HTH
M
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