Central Heating

[bainbrig]

The ‘charging’ tap, which you can turn to let more water into the system, is stuck closed. The attached gauge is reading high - usually 3 bar, now 5.

Baxi Combi. We’ve got an engineer coming Monday, but is the high pressure a problem?

Could we lower it by bleeding a radiator of some water?

Suggestions welcome.

BillB

[Tilly2]

Probably, Tony. :-)

[TonyV]

Yes Tilly2 most things work as long as they are water tight oh even a plastic bag

[Tilly2]

I was trying to help. Never mind. I'll bow out now.

[TonyV]

No need to Tilly2 think your idea was a brilliant idea

[bainbrig]

Just an update.

Tuvok. Nearest I can find (without crawling around and peering, which in my case I don't want to do...) is a Baxi Main Combi 24HE.

Andres. Yes, as well as the D&G/Baxi cover, I do have one of those 'water' cover things, but it only covers pipes, drains, etc., and very specifically excludes heating.

Anyway, it is still working. No, I haven't pushed my luck and tried to drain. Pressure is still at its high level, and water is flowing freely into the alley, but heating is still working, and in fact I managed a shower this morning, although the temperature was a bit erratic.

One last thing before I thank and leave you:

Bleeding.

Some 'authorities' say you MUST turn the system off before bleeding; others say it's not necessary.

What is the truth?

Ta.

BB

[andres]

I usually put the heating on and then when the radiators have heated up turn radiators off ,use the radiator key and loosen the valve but be careful not to pull it all the way out.Put a rag or some thing round your hand so that you don't scald yourself. Release some water and keep checking the gauge until you get down to the correct pressure.My gauge on a Valiant usually reads about 1.6

[Atheist]

Pressure relief valve (PRV) will allow discharge of excess pressure at 3 bars. If the pressure rises above 3 bars, it is possible that the PRV is blocked. Get an engineer in.

[bainbrig]

So the answer is to leave the system turned on?

[andres]

If the pressure is too high it could do some damage. I would bleed some of the radiators to lower the pressure. Take a look in the manual for your particular make of boiler and see what advice it gives. If you are still unsure then you would probably be better for your peace of mind turning the system off and using alternative heaters.
Just a thought -- could you ring the lad who is booked to come out to you on Monday and ask his advice?

[bainbrig]

Blimey Andres, you really are an optimist! Apart from it being a Baxi person, I have no idea who is coming. And on a Sunday?

I’ll be patient.

[andres]

Sorry Bb. Thought it might be a local person . Be sure to let us know if your problem gets resolved.

[bainbrig]

Well, he came, he fixed it, he went.

'Something round the back to do with pressure regulation' was as far as he'd divulge his secrets, but he stripped it down, did what he had to do, and it now works fine, so all well.

One thing we didn't know (oddly) was that we're covered not only for the boiler and its bits, but also for radiators. They seemed to have added it to the premium policies over the years without telling the customers about it. He looked at his screen, said 'you're covered for radiators', we double-checked, and damn me we are. Not underfloor pipework, of course, but nice to know about the rads.

Anyway, that came up because we had a leaking radiator, which he's now ordered a replacement for.

BB

[andres]

I am very pleased that you are now all snug and warm and everything is working again. xxx