I'm an amateur with an interest in plumbing - installed 2 systems in the 60s and 70s and modified others for self and family until banned in 1991.
Current problem relates to daughter's system. She had an Ideal Logic 35kw combi installed under Government scheme some 8 or so years ago. At the same time she paid the installer separately to fix a small leak at the attachment of the lockshield to one of the radiators. Unfortunately the leak wasn't fixed and we ended up re-pressurising a couple of times a year. Last winter the re-pressurising became more frequent accelerating to a couple of times a week. I therefore isolated the leaky radiator and replenished the inhibitor without any benefit to the pressure loss. With the summer arising we switched the boiler to hot water only and now the replenishment is only needed every couple of weeks.
There doesn't appear to be any leak from the pipes / rads - many pipes are under 1st floor (solid downstairs) but with the degree of water loss I would have expected ceiling staining. I've checked the pressure release outlet outside - no discharge. The condensate trap drains internally so I cannot check any loss here.
So - 2 possibilities -1) leaky pipes/rads 2) leaking heat exchanger which I understand can be a fault with this boiler and perhaps the leak goes unnoticed via the condensate drain.
What to do next? I'm minded to suggest she goes for broke (literally) and changes the boiler but am concerned she will do this and continue the pressure loss.
Suggestions please as to how we can confirm it is the boiler.
Current problem relates to daughter's system. She had an Ideal Logic 35kw combi installed under Government scheme some 8 or so years ago. At the same time she paid the installer separately to fix a small leak at the attachment of the lockshield to one of the radiators. Unfortunately the leak wasn't fixed and we ended up re-pressurising a couple of times a year. Last winter the re-pressurising became more frequent accelerating to a couple of times a week. I therefore isolated the leaky radiator and replenished the inhibitor without any benefit to the pressure loss. With the summer arising we switched the boiler to hot water only and now the replenishment is only needed every couple of weeks.
There doesn't appear to be any leak from the pipes / rads - many pipes are under 1st floor (solid downstairs) but with the degree of water loss I would have expected ceiling staining. I've checked the pressure release outlet outside - no discharge. The condensate trap drains internally so I cannot check any loss here.
So - 2 possibilities -1) leaky pipes/rads 2) leaking heat exchanger which I understand can be a fault with this boiler and perhaps the leak goes unnoticed via the condensate drain.
What to do next? I'm minded to suggest she goes for broke (literally) and changes the boiler but am concerned she will do this and continue the pressure loss.
Suggestions please as to how we can confirm it is the boiler.