Filling Loop query.

[rizla01]

If you are qualified to do a Gas Safety check on a property I assume that entails checking the boiler.
If, when checking a Combi, you notice the flexi filling loop in place (Taps closed) would you remove it or leave it be?
Also if you notice one valve open and the other closed, once again, would you ignore or turn off?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Leave it as is your looking to see if the appliance is safe to use gas side

Not for water regs issue you can advise the customer but that’s it

 

[fowlerboi]

Leave it as I found it. If the pressure needed topping up I would probably close both after.

I don't think I've ever seen a filling loop that has been disconnected. Been plumbing 10 years

 

[rizla01]

I am the landlord of a rental and the filling loop was left connected and with one of the valves left open.
Tenant had emergency when braided hose ruptured and flooded the kitchen whist she was out.

Plumber that did the Gas Safety check earned another £60+ for a call out and tenant had blown electrics till they dried out.

IF the same plumber had spotted the valve open (tap lever removed??) then this wouldn't have happened.

No-one at fault - bill paid, tenant happy and problem now solved but i feel it COULD have been avoided.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I am the landlord of a rental and the filling loop was left connected and with one of the valves left open.
Tenant had emergency when braided hose ruptured and flooded the kitchen whist she was out.

Plumber that did the Gas Safety check earned another £60+ for a call out and tenant had blown electrics till they dried out.

IF the same plumber had spotted the valve open (tap lever removed??) then this wouldn't have happened.

No-one at fault - bill paid, tenant happy and problem now solved but i feel it COULD have been avoided.

Or instruct the tenant to remove and how to put back on etc ?

 

[rizla01]

A couple of lovely Asian Nurses.
Not an easy one.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

A couple of lovely Asian Nurses.
Not an easy one.

So how are they going to put it back on if the engineer removed it ?

 

[rizla01]

So how are they going to put it back on if the engineer removed it ?

Simple. They dont.

Safer for them to call us if pressure drops than to trust them to understand how & when to re-pressurise the system plus it would be wiser to check why, should the pressure drop BUT CH engineer can check the pressure annually when carrying out safety check.

As long as the filling loop is accessible should a visit be needed I cant see a problem.

Certainly will prevent a bust in the future.

 

[fowlerboi]

In a normal house there will likely be flexible braided hoses on:

• Cloak room toilet
• 2x on cloak room basin
• 2x on kitchen sink
• Filling loop
• Bathroom toilet
• 2x on bathroom basin
• 2x on bath

As you can see there could be 11 on a single normal house, of which all but one are isolated in normal use. Ultimately its the home owners responsibility to ensure these don't split and are properly maintained when they look tired. Ultimately you got unlucky that it failed while not isolated but being realistic there was as much chance any one of the others in that house could have gone instead.

 

[rizla01]

Flexible couplings everywhere?

Perhaps thats how things might be in SOME houses but I always think flexi's are the lazy way to do things and can assure you, that my house has no flexi's whatsoever - and no plastic rubbish either.

Al joints are sweated where possible and rigid copper used throughout - even my Combi uses rigid copper for a filling loop.

Anyway, I think my query has been answered now.

Thanks for all the input.