gravity fed system. only one tank setup??

[obseen16]

Hi all, went to quote a lady today who wants her old boiler replacing but wants to replace it with a regular boiler not a sealed system or combi, thing is she only has one header tank, I traced the pipework and it only has a feed to the hot water cylinder and a feed to the shower pump. and only one vent pipe which is from the hot cylinder.

im a bit baffled, could her cylinder be the primatic type? so that when i drain the CH the hot cylinder will drain to? i havent come accross an old system with only one tank instead of 2. she has lived there over 20 years and is sure there is only the one cistern.

anyone help?

cheers
J

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

yes its primatic,theres a air bubble set up in the cyilinder that fills the heating and yes when you drain it will take ages as your draining both

 

[wnjswozo]

definitly primatic,you will more than likely have to replace cylinder,so quote carefully

 

[obseen16]

change the cylinder? any specific reason, she didnt want me to change the cylinder.

 

[justlead1]

Hi. Gravity circulation is fine but if a pump is added, it is possible to blow the air seal which seperates domestic hot water and heating system. Same old problem, people call in a plumber and then design (badly) system them selves. Good Luck

 

[Plumbcrazy56]

You will have to change the cylinder(just think of all that lovely cash from the scrap dealer)
Most people go for a combi when I start telling them how much a new cylinder,pump,controls and a boiler will cost.

 

[WHPES]

The cylinder must go. It is incompatible. Her options are either replace with unvented cylinder or have a combi boiler.

 

[obseen16]

ah the light bulb just clicked back on in my head, feel like a right pleb now.

thanks again guys,

j

 

[Rydell]

Hi there a lot of boiler manufactures say their boiler must be installed on fully pumped systems ie diverter valves and thermostats controls with a interlock with the boiler!

 

[RoryD]

I wouldn't get involved. If they want to stay in the 20th century leave them there. Have to agree with all advice tho

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

as far back as i recall even burmudas were not allowed by baxi for primatic cylinders

 

[wiltsplumb]

new boiler and cylinder or new combi sit the old dear down beore you give her the quote !!!

 

[smoggs03]

i'll give a quick BG quote if you like ??she'll soon see sense!!

 

[obseen16]

i'll give a quick BG quote if you like ??she'll soon see sense!!

lol i bet she wouldnt, if it was up to me i would steer clear of this one but we have done work for her before and she loves us, we put a quote in for a boiler and she said it was the wrong boiler cos it was wall hung and not floor standing, tell ya my hands were wanting a neck to wring lol,

 

[moony]

defo primatic, defo needs to be replaced as your new boiler will be need to be pumped to follow regs... juts tell her all this and tell her to give someone else a ring who will tell her the same thing - if she loves you all so much she will soon be back as you have give her the right advice - be prepared to put a combi in for her.

 

[WHPES]

..........that is unless she gets a cowboy who sticks a modern system boiler through the primatic cylinder, in which case she'll be calling you back to do the job properly.

 

[moony]

....... and further enhance your reputation of knowing what your doing.