Three way valve leaking brown water????

[mandym134]

Nightmare!!!
I apologise in advance for my lack of knowledge about plumbing but it's not me area, I don't want companies ripping me off due to this so I need some advise.
I'm unable to turn on my hot water as each time I do the boiler fires up & the central heating comes on. When trying to turn on the CH on it's own the boiler won't fire up at all.
I have an indirect cylinder boiler & it looks as though the actuator is broken. This was discovered by a friend of a friend of a friend plumber doing a favor but didn't want to do the work. I've been told we need to buy a new box & can easily be replaced ourselves but when removing the box to take to a shop to buy a new one I've noticed dried brown water on the 3 way valve. THere are also signs on leaking brown water directly underneath the three way valve. Can anyone tell me why this is & if the valve is also broke so also need this replacing??

 

[secret squirrel]

Why do people think they're always going to be ripped off?

The vast majority of plumbers want to do a good job and to be paid a reasonable rate for the skills we have aquired over time and for the tools and spares we carry insurance and business costs etc

That having been said, I always replace the whole valve, the brown water is probably the sludge or c@@@ in the system. I also prefer to fit honeywell valves they are expensive and cheaper options on the market but I prefer honeywell.

Is it a leak or just seeping, either way if you can't tighten the unions to stop this they need taking apart and re-doing maybe with a bit of PTFE tape. If you have to do this just replace the whole valve its just as quick and you've cured the whole problem.

 

[mandym134]

Thanks.
I can't see any water myself so must be just seeping to be honest. It also must be coming from the top of the 3 way valve as the bottom of the actuator also has the dried brown water & the top of the 3 way valve looks like what I can describe it as a dried up pool. I would rather just replace the valve if this is needed. It's still fully operational as this was tested by the plumber but he didn't seem to know about the water. This plumber didn't have time to do any of the work as he works fulltime for a company himself.
Also just to clear up I have had 2 companies already trying to rip me off. I have a trade myself which I worked very hard for & still do so understand nothing is done for nothing but when it comes to experts taking advantage & adding on hidden extras as they hear a female voice & think you wouldn't know any different then I'm being ripped off which you can appreciate I don't want to happen. These people do however then paint a bad picture for the good honest people which is why I'm a little cautious.

 

[ecowarm]

Thanks.
I can't see any water myself so must be just seeping to be honest. It also must be coming from the top of the 3 way valve as the bottom of the actuator also has the dried brown water & the top of the 3 way valve looks like what I can describe it as a dried up pool. I would rather just replace the valve if this is needed. It's still fully operational as this was tested by the plumber but he didn't seem to know about the water. This plumber didn't have time to do any of the work as he works fulltime for a company himself.
Also just to clear up I have had 2 companies already trying to rip me off. I have a trade myself which I worked very hard for & still do so understand nothing is done for nothing but when it comes to experts taking advantage & adding on hidden extras as they hear a female voice & think you wouldn't know any different then I'm being ripped off which you can appreciate I don't want to happen. These people do however then paint a bad picture for the good honest people which is why I'm a little cautious.

Sorry to hear of your bad experiences, but I would not have thought it wouldn't make a difference who phones male/female.
I would hope its just a tiny percentage of companies who are like that.
Try to ask friends/ relatives to recommend a good plumber.
Hope you get sorted soon
Eco

 

[helpsy]

You may be able to get someone on here to have a look/quote for the job if you post which area of the country you are in.

 

[Mbear]

Changing a 3port complete valve as opposed to just the head can bring it's own problems. Airlocks can occur during refilling and sometimes you might find u have a choked cold feed.

Get a heating eng in to replace, draining and replacing valve is relatively easy, it's the refilling which can be a nightmare

 

[REDSAW]

seems like it needs a system flush too,
£700 all in my number is 07777 07 771177