Boiler pressure near 3. How to depressurise boiler system with no bleed key?!

NewBee · Oct 13, 2019

Hi all,

Earlier this week I tried to top up pressure in my boiler. The screws that allow me to do this are buggered but turns out I must have been able to turn it without realising. The pressure has gone up slowly from near zero to near 3!

Now I can't turn the screw a particular way. I have no radiator bleed key. What other way can I safely lower the pressure?

Many thanks in advance!
NewBee

Deleted member 32524 · Oct 13, 2019

Do you have an adjustable spanner? Or if modernish radiators a flat head screwdriver does the job. It may still be passing in to system though and bleeding it will not help. Sounds like you need a new set of valves.

Dan · Oct 13, 2019

It's funny that I read this thread today, when my own boiler has gone mental too.

Our expansion vessel has gone. So it's not doing its job right. The pressure keeps dropping below the point (0.6 bar) where the boiler shuts down. So no heating or hot water.

I keep topping it up to 1.1 bar. And once the heating comes back on and it warms up, it pushes to above 2.5 bar.

Had the engineer out, he's replacing the vessel this week sometime, but he says it's okay - when the pressure gets too high it blows off automatically. There's a pipe outside he kinda pointed at and said I should find water coming out of it. I haven't yet. But I'm never around to see it drop or 'blow off' as he put it.

So I'm guessing, that you are in fact safe. (I'm not a plumber, not even a water one, let alone a skilled gas one! - Keep that in mind).

As for the actual problem though, you really need it servicing by the sounds of it, and that can only be done by a registered gas plumber.

I'd say get three quotes, don't go for the cheapest, and don't pay a call-out charge to quote. You should find somebody who doesn't charge to estimate fixing it if you look around.

We will soon have our own directory of plumbers and gas engineers to link you to, but no good right now. The directory isn't finished yet.

Deleted member 32524 · Oct 13, 2019

Have you been topping up regularly?

centralheatking · Oct 13, 2019

Dan said:
It's funny that I read this thread today, when my own boiler has gone mental too.

Our expansion vessel has gone. So it's not doing its job right. The pressure keeps dropping below the point (0.6 bar) where the boiler shuts down. So no heating or hot water.

I keep topping it up to 1.1 bar. And once the heating comes back on and it warms up, it pushes to above 2.5 bar.

Had the engineer out, he's replacing the vessel this week sometime, but he says it's okay - when the pressure gets too high it blows off automatically. There's a pipe outside he kinda pointed at and said I should find water coming out of it. I haven't yet. But I'm never around to see it drop or 'blow off' as he put it.

So I'm guessing, that you are in fact safe. (I'm not a plumber, not even a water one, let alone a skilled gas one! - Keep that in mind).

As for the actual problem though, you really need it servicing by the sounds of it, and that can only be done by a registered gas plumber.

I'd say get three quotes, don't go for the cheapest, and don't pay a call-out charge to quote. You should find somebody who doesn't charge to estimate fixing it if you look around.

We will soon have our own directory of plumbers and gas engineers to link you to, but no good right now. The directory isn't finished yet.

Remember you do not have to replace the expansion vessel in the boiler. These are usually expensive as they are a bespoke part pertinent to the boiler. Its quite safe and way cheaper to get a generic expansion vessel and stick it on the system in an out of the way location. The difference in price can be eye watering. Boiler ones up to £100 + generic ones from BES Gas Controls around £40.00 .to £60.00 ..centralheatking

centralheatking · Oct 13, 2019

There you go complete with all the install kit..chking

NewBee · Oct 13, 2019

Dan said:
It's funny that I read this thread today, when my own boiler has gone mental too.

Our expansion vessel has gone. So it's not doing its job right. The pressure keeps dropping below the point (0.6 bar) where the boiler shuts down. So no heating or hot water.

I keep topping it up to 1.1 bar. And once the heating comes back on and it warms up, it pushes to above 2.5 bar.

Had the engineer out, he's replacing the vessel this week sometime, but he says it's okay - when the pressure gets too high it blows off automatically. There's a pipe outside he kinda pointed at and said I should find water coming out of it. I haven't yet. But I'm never around to see it drop or 'blow off' as he put it.

So I'm guessing, that you are in fact safe. (I'm not a plumber, not even a water one, let alone a skilled gas one! - Keep that in mind).

As for the actual problem though, you really need it servicing by the sounds of it, and that can only be done by a registered gas plumber.

I'd say get three quotes, don't go for the cheapest, and don't pay a call-out charge to quote. You should find somebody who doesn't charge to estimate fixing it if you look around.

We will soon have our own directory of plumbers and gas engineers to link you to, but no good right now. The directory isn't finished yet.

Hey Dan,

Thanks for your reply! It's good to know I'm not the only one at this hour with this type of issue.

I live in a flat so I'm out sure where the water gets expelled from - the 'blowing off' stage happens.

Does anyone know if the boiler is safe to use in the meantime, or should I switch it off until I can get someone round to service it. I had it serviced and topped up last year with seemingly no issues.

Thanks to all others who've replied so far!

NewBee

Deleted member 32524 · Oct 13, 2019

You could create a temporary vessel with a small radiator. Close valves, drain down. Open one side and this will work as a temporary fix till an engineer can do it properly and change your filling loop for one that works.

NewBee · Oct 13, 2019

DuncanM said:
You could create a temporary vessel with a small radiator. Close valves, drain down. Open one side and this will work as a temporary fix till an engineer can do it properly and change your filling loop for one that works.

Unfortunately that goes way beyond my skill set, but it does sound like a good idea Duncan.

Dan · Oct 13, 2019

Cheers @centralheatking I'll pass that info onto my engineer.

You're a star.

@NewBee I'm 50% sure that boilers have their own cut-offs and safety features built in. Mine certainly cuts out when things become erroneous on it. Which seems to happen quite a bit.

I'd guess, and people can correct me here, that it's okay for now.

A boiler needs an annual check. So if it was done last year, it's probably due again.

NewBee · Oct 13, 2019

Dan said:
Cheers @centralheatking I'll pass that info onto my engineer. You're a star.

@NewBee I'm 50% sure that boilers have their own cut-offs and safety features built in. Mine certainly cuts out when things become erroneous on it. Which seems to happen quite a bit.

I'd guess, and people can correct me here, that it's okay for now.

A boiler needs an annual check. So if it was done last year, it's probably due again.

Thanks for the reassurance Dan, I'll take it even if it is only a 50-50

Yep, I've reached out to the plumber I used last year but so far no reply.

Thanks again.

Deleted member 32524 · Oct 13, 2019

It should be ok till they get there.

Dan · Oct 13, 2019

Make sure you try find another one if you need to. You don't want to leave it like that. And it does sound like it needs looking at.

It's cold outside though tonight, so you need your heating!

Boiler pressure near 3. How to depressurise boiler system with no bleed key?!

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