Quick boiler question

[t84]

Just moved into a new property and it appears the boiler is on the blink...

The front pressure gauge reads 0.5bar and it says in the manual that it should be over 1bar...

We have low hot water pressure in the shower and taps upstairs, are these problems likely linked?

[cobra kid]

There may well be a couple of taps with a linking pipe on the underside of the boiler. Our last two had them. Open them both and watch the pressure rise.

[sleep envy]

check that the pipe linking the taps is still connected, plumbers generally take them off

[t84]

Ah, is that the 'filling loop'? I've done some googling but as I'm renting and know nothing about heating systems I was thinking of letting them get someone in...

[sleep envy]

yep, that's the one

[t84]

If it's running at low pressure now would that explain the low mains pressure as well? I'm hoping that when the pressure is restored the upstairs shower will no longer feel like someone is taking a piss on you...

[cobra kid]

One way to find out.

[911motorsport]

Be careful! Often done to mask leaks under pressure.

[t84]

Should I try pissing in it first?

(Sorry, couldn't help myself)

Well I just rang the letting agents and I've got an engineer coming at 1.30pm..

[maser_spyder]

Or somebody has bled radiators and not topped up the pressure, or possibly a pinhole leak in a pipe somewhere.

Filling loop should up the pressure again, but don't leave it open, and don't go too high either.

[anonymous-user]

911motorsport said:

Be careful! Often done to mask leaks under pressure.

Thought you only gave advice about kettles?

[Ferg]

t84 said:

If it's running at low pressure now would that explain the low mains pressure as well?

No. Totally different issue and I'd bet that what you describe as low pressure is really low flow, which is quite normal with combination boilers.

[tonym911]

I thought from the title this was a refugee from the match.com thread

[SuBo Wrestler]

Ferg said:

t84 said:

If it's running at low pressure now would that explain the low mains pressure as well?

No. Totally different issue and I'd bet that what you describe as low pressure is really low flow, which is quite normal with combination boilers.

Bugger, so there's no way around that issue? Is it possible to get showerheads designed for low flow systems?

Edited by SuBo Wrestler on Monday 9th August 16:31

[oOTomOo]

t84 said:

... I'm renting and know nothing about heating systems...

Ring land lord, tell them, expect a plumber over fairly soonish.

The low pressure will be the radiators. Some systems need refilling after a summer of no use if there are some small leaks in the system.

As for the hot water, that's just what you get for a cheap combi boiler - which you can expect to find in a rental property.

If you want hot water, turn the hot tap on, wait for the boiler to realise it's supposed to be doing its hot water job... wait a couple of minutes and whack the tap on full again.

[oOTomOo]

SuBo Wrestler said:

Bugger, so there's no way around that issue? Is it possible to get showerheads designed for low flow systems?

Yes, they're called electric showers... HTH

[Ferg]

Check the flow against the boiler spec first. Get a litre jug and time it's filling.
It may be that the boiler has been throttled down to increase the temperature a little.

[SuBo Wrestler]

Thanks, I'll investigate later!