Leaking pressure combi boiler

[Deleted User]

kinger101 wrote: »

Does is only lose pressure after firing up? It could be a fault with the expansion tank, which might mean excess pressure is released by the overpressure relief valve.

No it gains pressure while firing up(1.7 bar) and on and runs fine.It only loses pressure when its not being used by 0.1 bar daily until lockout.

It used to run at 3.0 odd until the plumber came out as it was leaking from the flu outside.

Jhoney_2

Does the external wall, where the flue was leaking show signs of being damp? Is there pointing issues in that area that could let water into the brickwork and thus behind the base unit?

Problem seems to be within the kitchen, but it could be a separate leak causing the smell. Get a plumber out asap.

unclebulgaria

Have a look outside for a small copper pipe just poking through the wall directly below the boiler, is it leaking, even a small amount?
When the boiler is on and hot what does the pressure gauge read, is it over 2.5?
You could ask the plumber to isolate the boiler by turning the isolation valves to the central heating off under the boiler and leaving it like that for as long as you can, I know that might be awkward but it will prove if its the boiler or not.
The damp smell could be coming from a leaking cold water main stop !!!! leaking under your kitchen unit, its a regular problem with stop cocks that are rarely used.
Hope that helps.
Forgot to say, if all else fails there is a chemical treatment called leak sealer that you could add to the central heating circuit, it finds leaks and seals them so long as they are small and not on regularly operated valves.

[Deleted User]

The stopcock did leak badly 3 months ago but sorted that out so surely the smell is not still that?
There is no copper pipe outside as its just a plastic flue?

The pressure when the boiler is on ranges from 1.6-2.7 and when switched off slowly goes down to 0.5.

unclebulgaria

the copper pipe should go through the wall under the boiler, about as thick as your little finger?
The fact the pressure is rising up to 2.7 on the pressure gauge leads me to believe the expansion vessel is flat or burst.
If its flat it can be recharged but it has to be done properly or it'll be a waste of time. Your plumber/RGI should know how to do it correctly, if he doesn't get someone else in.
Yes the smell could be from the previous leak if the units got wet they may be going mouldy.

[Deleted User]

To be honest I just had the vinyl laid and to me it looks like there was some sort of flood as the chipboard on top of the floorboards had bowed quite bad.I managed to screw some nails into the floorboards to reduce the bow.

There could be mould under the floorboards anywhere I guess due to this.

I guess if the boiler issue is fixed and the smell is still there its a carpet/vinyl floorboards up job and try and find the mould?Sounds stressful and expensive...

unclebulgaria

Wet rot stinks after a while. I would check to see whats causing the smell and fix it.
I can explain how to recharge an expansion vessel or spot how to tell its burst just in case your plumber is a cowboy.

[Deleted User]

I'm pretty sure its wet rot but as i'm on the second floor sounds a nightmare.

It would mean taking the floorboards up and there not great as its converted and dry walls everywhere stopping floorboards coming up easily.

I guess there is no other way.Maybe dry out in the summer lol?

unclebulgaria

See if a friend has a Multi tool to cut the boards up neatly and then make sure they're supported after. We're in Britain, we don't have a summer! lol

anselld

Deleted_User wrote: »

I managed to screw some nails into the floorboards to reduce the bow.

How did you ensure there were no heating pipes underneath any of your new screws?