Topping up boiler pressure twice a day...

[Ani]

We had a new boiler, pipework and radiators (x15) installed this summer (mid Aug) - a Worcester Bosch 24Ri Greenstar conventional condensing boiler with hot water cylinder, cold water storage in the loft and Salamander pump to increase water pressure in the first and second floor bathrooms. The house is a 1960's townhouse.

From the very start, we have had issues with pressure dropping on the boiler (we moved back in 20 Aug). The start of the problems has been confused by a broken radiator, but this only started to leak outside the house once it was put right by the plumber the week after moving back.

The boiler has been checked twice by Worcester Bosch and there is nothing wrong with it mechanically.

The pressure started dropping slowly (late Aug/Sep), but once we started putting the heating on timer daily (early Oct) – we were topping up just over once a week.

A plumber inserted a sealant in the system – this did not help and I started topping up every other day (early Nov).

There is no sign of a leak in the house and no water coming out of the boiler overflow. Water pressure in taps is good and central heating/hot water are working OK once the boiler pressure is topped up.

We are now having to top up twice daily so a temporary pressure limiting valve has been installed.

What do you recommend we should next?

Thank you.

 

[dancinplumba]

hi and welcome ani, a bit confused, what leaked outside ?

 

[Ani]

hi and welcome ani, a bit confused, what leaked outside ?

The radiator is positioned over the entrance to the garage and leaked there (outside)

 

[dancinplumba]

there is clearly a leak somewhere, you need to get the installer back and they could try repressurising system then isolating boiler for a day, then they will be able to see if its a problem with the system or the boiler. unfortunately this will mean you have no heating for the day

 

[chris watkins]

Why is your plumber / installer not sorting this out ? If you do not get this done quickly you may well be needing a new boiler & rads again soon.

Best option is to break the system down into floors if you can get to the pipework cut in valves on each level & turn them off over night & check the pressure at least you will know which floor the leak is on & you can work from there.
The boiler can also be isolated from the system to make sure it to is not the cause. When testing only raise the pressure up to 3 Bar if you can to see if this helps to find / hear it.

 

[stevetheplumber]

unlikly to be upstairs if they top up twice a day would have shown on a ceiling by now

 

[chris watkins]

unlikly to be upstairs if they top up twice a day would have shown on a ceiling by now

very true but taking off the head pressure from the lower floors would hopefully make the pressure loss show more quickly which might help.