Advice needed please!

[twalsh69]

Hi, I need some advice please. I have developed what I assume to be a problem in my hot water system and just want to check what the likely causes may be, if anyone can help it would be much appreciated. I have a gas fired boiler which heats the water and the radiators, recently when the boiler turns on to heat the water, 6am and later in the evening there is an awful gurgling noise and then a gushing sound coming from the pipework in the airing cupboard, it only lasts for maybe 30 seconds. In addition I have 2 radiators downstairs which are only heating at the bottom. I am completely ignorant in this area, but wondered whether there may be air in the pipework and if the radiators need bleeding? Is this purely coincidence or could the 2 problems be linked? I would appreciate any help? ie. Do I need to call in a plumber immediately?

Thanks
Tracy.

 

[helpsy]

Maybe check the small tank(F&E) in the attic has water in it and the float valve is operational.

 

[Bernie2]

Hi! twalsh69

Sounds like air in the system. As helpsy said check F and E tank for water.

Its a small tank usually in the loft or roof space.

It can cause problems to the boiler and would get worse if left.

The small tank acts as a sort of water reservoir and as air is displaced out of the water by heating, it automatically makes up the space with more water. If its not doing that, and what you describe sounds as though may not be, then the first thing to check is that the small tank is getting water.

If the tank is okay and there is water in it to about 75mm over the outlet pipe. Then there may be a problem with the cold feed pipe and you should get that looked at as soon as possible.

If there isn't water in it, ease and release the ball cock, so it works normally. Then bleed radiators of air and run pump on a cold system.

Then try running it hot.

If you have a variable pump turn it up high for a few minutes to try and remove air, then turn it back to what it was

Good Fortune.

 

[derrybongo]

is it a vented or sealed system ?

 

[RoryD]

I would think the system is pumping over, which may mean a blocked cold feed. Run a magnet around the copper pipework on the heating / dhw if it is sticky (particularly around the cold feed entry), you'll have sludge / blockage

 

[paul H]

hi tracy sounds like it is a lack of water in your system as the other guys have suggested call some one in before the weather turns bad and everyone is busy
paul

 

[twalsh69]

Thankyou all for your advice, I have had a plumber round, the tank in the attic is ok. He seems to think it is a problem with the cold feed as you suggested. Apparently I have an "air seperater" in the pipework in the airing cupboard, he thinks if one of the pipes is scaled then there will be an imbalance in the seperater, he wants to cut that out, in the meantime he has turned down the pump and the noise is worse than ever. Does this all make sense to you?
Again thanks for all your help.

 

[stevetheplumber]

he is probablty right