Isolating hot water - combi boiler

debbie42

Hi,

I need to change a washer on a hot water tap. It's been dripping for a while, but is getting to the point where I can't really ignore it much longer. The pipes to it don't have an isolating valve, and I've not had to do anything like this since we changed to a combi boiler.

I understand from reading elsewhere that I either have to switch off the cold water to the boiler, and open up the hot taps, or switch off the hot water valve from the boiler? Is this correct?

My boiler (Worcester Bosch, 28 something, from memory) has several pipes going to and from it, so how do I know which is which? (and is it something I can do myself safely!?) I do know which valves to open to top up the heating circuit from the cold water supply, but these are normally off, so I guess they aren't relevant.

ariba10

I would turn the boiler off, then turn off the water at the mains and change the washer.

The stop valves on the boiler are best left alone unless you have no option

debbie42

That was quick! Thanks.

So, turn off the whole house's water at the mains, then switch the boiler off? I've just looked and can't see an on/off switch, but there's an isolating switch for the power to the boiler.

I'll know soon enough if I've sorted out the hot water supply, but I didn't want to damage the boiler.

ormus

theres usually no storage tanks with a normal combi system. so turning the water supply off, turns everything off.
tap repairs etc are so much easier.