Potterton boiler broken and leaks

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Hi

So my system boiler was making turbulent "klanging" noises before intially breaking down.

I had a read up and it was suggested to clean the system. Thus, I can bought some sentinel x800 and after going through the motions(emptying the f&e system, bleeding rads etc) Before dropping the product in the f&e tank, and soon after the heating(except 2 rads out of 8) and hot water was back on. I left the x800 over night and had the heating on an hour at night and an hour in the morning before flushing it out and before aplying an inhibitor.

3 days later, after working fine, the boiler is broke again. Sounds fine from the pump, and machinery, but the boiler is not firing up.

Then, I've noticed when I turn the hot water tap on water is streaming down from the front of the house, it seems coming from the loft and coming through to outside. The closest room to this, the bath room, I've also noticed water marks occuring on the ceiling and may have been there for a while. So I think this could be linked.

Anyone know why that maybe? Thanks in advance for any solutions and feedback.

Scott_D · Feb 28, 2019

Loft tank overflowing?

Rob Foster · Feb 28, 2019

ok ...questions ...what type of system do you have
Combi, System, traditional open vented, what sort of boiler
how old, thats just the start...put up the answers and we will all have a look and pitch in....Rob Foster aka centralheatking

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Both tanks in the loft seem fine, water not over flowing. A little drip comes out the water tank when it's reached its maximum level but, not running.

Should also add the tanks situated are at the back of the house and not at the front where the leaking water is coming from. There is a tube/chimney component on the roof above, not sure what the use is for and every house on the road has one

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Rob Foster said:
ok ...questions ...what type of system do you have
Combi, System, traditional open vented, what sort of boiler
how old, thats just the start...put up the answers and we will all have a look and pitch in....Rob Foster aka centralheatking

Hi mate, it's a pottersdon profile system boiler and about 20 years old. Also should add we've never cleaned the system in over 30+ years until the other day

Scott_D · Feb 28, 2019

Any pictures of what’s leaking?

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

scott_d said:
Any pictures of what’s leaking?

The loft has huge beams and I'm unable to get close to where the running water seems to escaping to the front of the house. So not sure what is leaking exactly

Rob Foster · Feb 28, 2019

prv open and gunked up ?
what do you fink scott, I am off on patrol now till 5 centralheatking

Harvest Fields · Feb 28, 2019

Have you checked that the pump is spinning?

Rob Foster · Feb 28, 2019

Barry Lee said:
The loft has huge beams and I'm unable to get close to where the running water seems to escaping to the front of the house. So not sure what is leaking exactly

take a piccy from outside

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Rob Foster said:
take a piccy from outside

At the moment the water is only dripping, however as I've mentioned, when you turn the hot water tap on, the water flow increases and starts running down intensely.

Been on the roof and its all dry. Thrwater seems to be coming from the white panel above the window. This would be from the loft I'm presuming??

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Harvest Fields said:
Have you checked that the pump is spinning?

I've not opened it up, but I've placed me hand on it and it vibrates, if that is any indication?

Riley · Feb 28, 2019

Unvented cylinder?

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Riley said:
Unvented cylinder?

Yes, we have a cylinder, its old like, 40 years+ so not sure it's unvented

Scott_D · Feb 28, 2019

Think you need to hey someone in to have a look. Everyone is clutching at straws.

Riley · Feb 28, 2019

Bet it’s an unvented discharging into the guttering

Scott_D · Feb 28, 2019

Riley said:
Bet it’s an unvented discharging into the guttering

F&E overflow is my guess

Riley · Feb 28, 2019

Actually yeah if I read the whole post he does have loft tanks

but he did say they were at the opposite end of the loft

Rob Foster · Feb 28, 2019

ok its a conventional system, the f&e ....little tank is overflowing ...why not just tie up the ball valve and see what not happening , centralheatking

Harvest Fields · Feb 28, 2019

Rob Foster said:
ok its a conventional system, the f&e ..little tank is overflowing ...why not just tie up the ball valve and see what not happening , centralheatking

Because it might be the ball valve that is faulty and not shutting off. So lifting the ball valve may do nothing.

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Rob Foster said:
ok its a conventional system, the f&e ..little tank is overflowing ...why not just tie up the ball valve and see what not happening , centralheatking

Hi, when you say overflowing...the water is contained within the tank and not spilling out. Is this what you meant? The ball valves seem to be fine and water stops once it reaches a certain limit

Rob Foster · Feb 28, 2019

Barry Lee said:
Hi, when you say overflowing...the water is contained within the tank and not spilling out. Is this what you meant? The ball valves seem to be fine and water stops once it reaches a certain limit

but is the water reaching the level of the overflow pipe ?

Riley · Feb 28, 2019

If it starts gushing once a tap is open there’s more to it. I’d suggest that it’s mains cold bypassing a mixer and going back up the pipe to the tank

Barry Lee · Feb 28, 2019

Riley said:
If it starts gushing once a tap is open there’s more to it. I’d suggest that it’s mains cold bypassing a mixer and going back up the pipe to the tank

A plumber mate, said something similar...if that is the case, what would be the solution? Ta

Riley · Feb 28, 2019

Replace tap.

Potterton boiler broken and leaks

Barry Lee

Scott_D

Rob Foster

Barry Lee

Barry Lee

Scott_D

Barry Lee

Rob Foster

Harvest Fields

Rob Foster

Barry Lee

Barry Lee

Riley

Plumbers Arms member

Barry Lee

Scott_D

Riley

Plumbers Arms member

Scott_D

Riley

Plumbers Arms member

Rob Foster

Harvest Fields

Barry Lee

Rob Foster

Riley

Plumbers Arms member

Barry Lee

Riley

Plumbers Arms member

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