Urgent help needed.

elsien

My central heating boiler has been losing pressure for a few days now and I haven’t been able to work out where from.

This morning I discovered water coming through my ceiling in the dining room down the light fitting. So obviously a pipe underneath the floor upstairs.
Unfortunately, I am going to Barcelona in 3 hours to take 87-year-old parent to do the last thing on her bucket list so I can’t cancel.

All I can do think of to do is turn the water and the electric off and sort it out when I come back.

I would drain the central heating system, but I don’t know how, and it needs to be fairly straightforward for a DIY numpty.

Any help appreciated please?

stuart45

Is it a sealed system?

elsien

it’s a Combi boiler so no water tank. That’s all I know.

Keep_pedalling

https://heatable.co.uk/boiler-advice/how-to-drain-your-combi-boiler

WIAWSNB

Is there anyone who can visit your home when you are away to ensure it's ok, eg from frost - they could set up an oil-filled leccy heater in there if necessary?

But, since it's a combi, you can isolate the boiler, and that should stop the leak dead.

Make and model, please. And ideally a photo of the underside, showing all the pipes as they join the boiler.

You know where your main stopcock is too, yes?

stuart45

You should have a drainage valve somewhere at the lowest point in the system. Stick a length of hose pipe on the end to outside and open up the valve and it should drain.

WIAWSNB

And do you have a trusted plumber who can sort this whilst you are away? Anybody who can supervise if necessary?

WIAWSNB

Do you have emergency cover on your house insurance?

Do you have anybody you can leave the key with to arrange to have this sorted?

elsien

no to home emergency insurance. Although they wouldn’t get here before I have to leave anyway, so that’s academic at the moment.

not to trusted Plumber because the one I use for the boiler service has got knackered knees and doesn’t do underfloor stuff anymore.

Friend, who would sort it for me does live in care Work and isn’t around this week.
Helpful neighbour has moved.

elsien

boiler is a Worcester green star. I would have to rummage out at the model number.

currently turned off and water to it turned off and yes, I do know where my stopcock is.
The water landing in the bucket looks rusty so it obviously is from the radiator system.

stuart45

Have you found the drainage valve for the system?