No heat to back boiler pipes

Lil306

ThisIsWeird said:

Lil306 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Lil306 said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Ok, sounds like 'gravity' DHW, and pumped CH.
An old system, and needs someone who understands it.
Phew - so you ain't personally sorting it!

Yes sorry. Gravity fed. Not sure what DHW means without looking 

There's a tank in the loft. The hot water goes to it used for the bath and taps. And then if you want radiators you use the pullers to add heat not he back boiler and turn on the pump to cycle around the radiators.

I'm more than happy to do things myself. I'm starting to think it's an air lock of some sort (pipes hot in cupboard but their freezing cold going to the tank) but an engineer has the right tools end of the day safer  

Domestic Hot Water - like your hot cylinder.
This is heated by the back boiler, and doesn't require a pump - the water circulates under 'gravity' ( hot water being less dense, so lighter, so floats upwards).
"If you want rads you use the 'pullers'..." What's a puller?

Ah thank you sorry I wasn't familiar with that Abbreviation. The puller is what we call it. I think it's real name is a flue plate or something, basically it shuts off a portion of the chimney, so instead of your fire heat/fumes going directly up the chimney, it causes the fire to draw the heat at the back of the flue path (Which is front of the boiler) basically heating it up better. 

I've attached a picture below, where you see the chimney pipe, there's a black plate at the top with a hockey puck handle at the front, that's the "puller". Pull it forward it draws heat to the back flue gases path, push it back, it closest off this path

When closesd it makes the fire more aggressive to build up heat

Ah, I see.
Yes, it dramatically increases the flame area to the boiler surface.
So, for CH, you pull the puller, and flick a switch to turn the pump on?
Just a manual switch? There isn't a pipe thermostat on the flow that will automatically turn on the pump when hot water is detected, and keep the pump running on override until the heat is back down to a safe level?
Blimey. I'd hate to have to control this. Does it often 'bang' and 'shudder'?!

Nope. I know what you mean though the engineer was talking about a thermostat controlled device where the pump is always on and it opens automatically. Yes correct to description

Lil306

Just to update post I gave my mam the number for plumber and he was going to come out Monday but sent someone in early. 

Apparently one of the valves wasn't open. I'm sure I opened them all but I defer to their expertise. Currently pipes are heating up to test now. So issue should now be resolved

ThisIsWeird

Lil306 said:

Just to update post I gave my mam the number for plumber and he was going to come out Monday but sent someone in early. 

Apparently one of the valves wasn't open. I'm sure I opened them all but I defer to their expertise. Currently pipes are heating up to test now. So issue should now be resolved

This would have been left closed by the previous cove? (Hardly your job to go around opening them after he left!)

Ganga

Great that you appear to be on the right track to getting the heating back up and running.

FreeBear

Lil306 said: Apparently one of the valves wasn't open. I'm sure I opened them all but I defer to their expertise. Currently pipes are heating up to test now. So issue should now be resolved

Suspected as much. Hopefully, this plumber isn't charging an arm & a leg, and you'll be trying to get the first one to cover the cost.

Lil306

ThisIsWeird said:

Lil306 said:

Just to update post I gave my mam the number for plumber and he was going to come out Monday but sent someone in early. 

Apparently one of the valves wasn't open. I'm sure I opened them all but I defer to their expertise. Currently pipes are heating up to test now. So issue should now be resolved

This would have been left closed by the previous cove? (Hardly your job to go around opening them after he left!)

Indeed. I shouldn't have to touch anything at all but 🙄

Lil306

FreeBear said:

Lil306 said: Apparently one of the valves wasn't open. I'm sure I opened them all but I defer to their expertise. Currently pipes are heating up to test now. So issue should now be resolved

Suspected as much. Hopefully, this plumber isn't charging an arm & a leg, and you'll be trying to get the first one to cover the cost.

Around same price as first. Probably won't be able to get anywhere but they aren't going to get a nice review either if asked about it as the valves were one thing the plumber was turning when trying to service the pump

I'm more bothered about getting heat to the house tbh 

ThisIsWeird

One failed circulating-pump washer. £500+

Lawdie.

Lil306

ThisIsWeird said:

One failed circulating-pump washer. £500+

Lawdie.

yeah, the Grundfos pumps are expeinsive but reliable too. It's just the seal, so for probably a £20 part can't complain. 

ThisIsWeird

But for £500...?
That is how much this 50p fibre washer and what should have been a 20 minute job has cost you. 
Do you know any good, recommended local plumbers who will understand this system? That's who you want on speed dial in future.
Tbh, a dripping valve connection, which can be handled by the use of a shallow dish, is not an 'emergency'. But that first guy has seemingly done you a terrible service.
Anyhoo...