Unvented water heater | UK Plumbers Forums | Plumbers Forums
  • Welcome to PlumbersTalk.net

    Welcome to Plumbers' Talk | The new domain for UKPF / Plumbers Forums. Login with your existing details they should all work fine. Please checkout the PT Updates Forum

Welcome to the forum. Although you can post in any forum, the USA forum is here in case of local regs or laws

American Visitor?

Hey friend, we're detecting that you're an American visitor and want to thank you for coming to PlumbersTalk.net - Here is a link to the American Plumbing Forum. Though if you post in any other forum from your computer / phone it'll be marked with a little american flag so that other users can help from your neck of the woods. We hope this helps. And thanks once again.

Discuss Unvented water heater in the UK Plumbers Forums area at Plumbers Forums

Messages
6
Hi, I have an unvented water heater which for some reason every year causes me issues.



At the end of 2023 I noticed that the pressure valve gauge was going up when the water tank was switched on. My local plumber came and re-pressured the expansion vessel as it was flat, afterwards we tested it and even with the heater switched on the pressure stayed at 3 bar, after about 20 minutes it and gone up to 3.5 bar and didn’t drop until I ran a tap, I called the plumber about this and they said it was normal.



This evening I noticed the pressure gauge was going up even though the heater hadn’t been switched on and hadn’t been for about 12 hours.



I’ve turned the water off and used the PRV to release the water, only a little came out.



I’m guessing that there is an issue with the expansion vessel and I need a new one? But just thought I’d ask for some advice as the heater hadn’t been switched on for hours.



The PRV’s and the intake valve on the gauge have all been replaced within the past three years so I’m guessing it’s not those.



Any advice welcome.
 
Without being there to test the cylinder components, I would suggest replacing the combination valve (which must be done by a qualified plumber).

Inside the valve is a pressure regulator that is set to 3 bar. If that is starting to fail the pressure in your cylinder will go to whatever your mains pressure is.

Hope this helps.
 
It seems like your diagnosis could be correct...

If the pressure in your unvented water heater keeps rising despite recent service on the expansion vessel, and considering the PRV (Pressure Relief Valve) and other components have been replaced recently, the expansion vessel might indeed be failing to absorb the pressure increases as intended. It's also possible there's an issue with the pressure reducing valve or a check valve causing backflow, contributing to pressure buildup.

Before replacing the expansion vessel, it might be worth checking these components and ensuring there's no thermal expansion from another source affecting the system. Consulting with your plumber to thoroughly assess these elements could help pinpoint the exact issue and avoid unnecessary replacements.

Good luck!
 
However it could also be a number of other things.
Needs someone on site to check it over, and they should be G3 registered in case it ends up being to do with the cylinder etc - which is not necessarily the case by the way!
 
Hi all, thanks for the replies. Just waiting for my plumber to come back with an appointment date.

I’m pretty sure it’s the expansion vessel as last night when the water was switched off at the mains the pressure still went up.
 

Similar plumbing topics

  • Question
It won't be your expansion vessel, more than...
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • Question
As Shaun said cold backfeeding through mixer...
Replies
5
Views
939
W
  • Question
Need a g3 eg unvented engineer
Replies
2
Views
783
  • Question
How high is the hill 40m as that will add 4...
Replies
2
Views
441
  • Question
I think 2.7LPM is the minimum requireed so...
Replies
4
Views
272
Back
Top