Heating, noises from pipes increasing

Apodemus

To get sticky radiator bleed valves open, it sometimes helps to hold the bleed screw key with a mole wrench to give a better grip and a bit of leverage.

ThisIsWeird

And it the worst happens *snap* they can be replaced very easily.

2'pen, do you have grips/wrench/pliers!

twopenny

Yes, lots. I did try using fine nosed pliers when I moved in but not enough grip.

I didn't think to use the key and turn with pliers. Obvious now you've said it  but not always when you're anxious not to make things worse.

I prepared to phone round and first guy is coming (hopefully) around lunch time.

The first thing he said was 'the ball valve in the expansion tank' which was my first idea. Then air vents...so looks promising.

I also have copper ease, I found and tested it for viability when clearing out the shed last w/e.

He was the one that turned out when I lost the boiler during beast from the east when others wouldn't and he's only working a couple of streets away.

I'll show him the dreadful non bathroom too. You never know.

plumb1_2

twopenny said:

Ummmmm the guy said he thought it was the pump.

So I'm guessing it's pumped.

The heating will be pumped but to heat the cylinder the pipes could be just gravity circs 

ThisIsWeird

twopenny said:

Yes, lots. I did try using fine nosed pliers when I moved in but not enough grip.

I didn't think to use the key and turn with pliers. Obvious now you've said it  but not always when you're anxious not to make things worse.

I prepared to phone round and first guy is coming (hopefully) around lunch time.

The first thing he said was 'the ball valve in the expansion tank' which was my first idea. Then air vents...so looks promising.

I also have copper ease, I found and tested it for viability when clearing out the shed last w/e.

He was the one that turned out when I lost the boiler during beast from the east when others wouldn't and he's only working a couple of streets away.

I'll show him the dreadful non bathroom too. You never know.

Lol - you tried to open a bleed screw with long nosed pliers? My!

(Soz - I'm ashamed...)

They do have screwdriver slots too, but really the correct key is the one to use - everything else is likely to 'round' the screw head.

I wouldn't bother with copper-ease  in this case as it's likely to be fine; almost certainly the bleed screws will open fine with the correct key, and an extra grip on it if needed.

Sounds promising - keep us updated :-)

twopenny

So this guy came, said 1-1.30 came at 4 but looked at the boiler, went in the loft and checked the header tank. He explained how the heating worked and checked the rads which are all fine.

His conconclusion was that without hearing the noise it was hard to say but the ultimate was - tight clips somewhere, all hidden under loft insulation and in the inaccessible garage loft.

Possibily the spider where some crud had got stuck etc. and the only way to find out was cutting the pipes and cleaning out.

Sadly I'd kept the heating off until he came and if I'd left it on the noise may have occoured. It happens late evening usually.

But down to the essentials - it's impossible to say without in depth investigation. I understand that thats reasonable but he didn't push or suggest that.

So we're down to wait and see.

I can only wait until my leg recovers and I can get in the loft at 9pmish, not something I relish, or to explore myself. Reasonable. A little winter joy but I think that's fair.

What I did get from this was reassuarance in part, and found the folder for the boiler which stated what should be done for the annual check. That definitely wasn't being done by the guy who came. His stickers on the boiler have been disposed of.

He also gave me a some info on installing a bathroom. All clear explanation about the space, options for shower location etc. Reversing the door. Buying the goods.

Says he will give me a price when I email the details but will do - sometime in spring early summer which is fine as in a small dwelling means doors open, I can go out and generally a 'good idea'.

Really knows what he's talking about. So fingers and everything else crossed!

PS Having said that there's a sound like the roadsweeper coming from the walls and radiators now. He fiddled with a knob in the boiler. Don't know if it's turned up more or what. Turned the radiators down. Just had to turn the heating off.

twopenny

Can anyone tell me what this black knob is in the middle please?

It was turned to 4 but I've put it to 3.

I've turned the heating and hot water off at the timer.

Turned the radiators down .

No noise in the loft.

Bit the sound is coming mainly from the airing cupboard where the timer and new actuator are.

The pipe to the immersion tank is hot even though it's only on morning half and hour.

The actuator is hot even though the pipe is just warm and is on H.

It still sounds like a road sweeper outside. I'm not going to be able to sleep with this noise and don't know how to stop it.

twopenny

Too late!

The boiler overheat light is on and I'm freezing!

Can anyone tell me whether I should turn the boiler off at the switch - like a light switch?

Also it's Saturday so out with the electric heaters. Fortunately I kept all the ones I had when I lost my boiler during the Beast from the East..............

Happy days - not. But I guess the noise has stopped

ThisIsWeird

The black knob sets the water temperature that the boiler delivers. If the overheat 'stat tripped, then presumably the boiler couldn't shift the heated water fast enough, so it overheats. Not really a problem - the boiler has safety features built in.

So, the guy turned it up to 4? That's ok, and a typical setting for colder days - it determines how hot the rads can get. You turned it back down to 3 - what was it at before the guy turned it up?

If you want, you can try turning the boiler back on and see if it runs ok at '3'. If it trips again, then leave it off.

Can't really diagnose the other symptoms from this side of the screen, but it does seem as tho' your system needs a good overhaul as it seemingly cannot shift water properly.

How was it all left - is he coming back to sort it properly?

twopenny

8.30 tomorrow.

I may still be awake...........