Topping Up Pressure

[blueplanet]

Hello

When I first purchased my property I was told by Barratt homes that I had to top up the system if it dropped below the red marker.

To top up the system I had to release the two black levers and I would hear it filling up.

I recently had a cylinder changed and now I turn the levers nothing happens and the pressure seems to have dropped below the red marker.

Could anyone tell me why this could be and how I top up the system? Please see the attached photo.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Even when you open both levers eg inline with the pipe ?

 

[blueplanet]

Even when you open both levers eg inline with the pipe ?

Yes, with both levers. I can hear a small hiss but nothing like before and it does not top up. Previously I open both and see the black lever moving up and I would switch it off when I reached the red marker. I don't know if the cylinder installers have some how turned it off.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

You got a picture further back please

 

[blueplanet]

You got a picture further back please

I have this one but I can get others later and post them if need be.

Separately, at the taps I get water at 58C which is far too hot. Do you know if this the normal tap temperature?

Thanks.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

That’s great so it’s connected correctly

turn both levers off take the hose off the top one via the two eared nut just after the flexi (would get a towel below it as there will be a few drips of water )

then put that end into a bucket and open the lower valve eg the one still connected to the flexi you should have water coming out

if you don’t there’s your problem faulty valve

now do the same with the top once you’ve put the flexi back on and removed it from the bottom valve this time note this will drop the pressure in your heating system a bit

if both are / have water then I would suspect a faulty gauge / low water pressure

 

[blueplanet]

That’s great so it’s connected correctly

turn both levers off take the hose off the top one via the two eared nut just after the flexi (would get a towel below it as there will be a few drips of water )

then put that end into a bucket and open the lower valve eg the one still connected to the flexi you should have water coming out

if you don’t there’s your problem faulty valve

now do the same with the top once you’ve put the flexi back on and removed it from the bottom valve this time note this will drop the pressure in your heating system a bit

if both are / have water then I would suspect a faulty gauge / low water pressure

OK, great thanks for your help. I will give it a go between now and next weekend (at work Mon-Fri) and then report back. From the sounds of it this is not down to the cylinder install which is good to know. Thanks again.

 

[blueplanet]

Hi

I undone the flexi as suggested. Took 2 minutes.

When I undone the bottom nut (so top connected) and opened the top lever lots of water came out with force.

When I undone the top nut (so bottom connected) and opened bottom lever water came out but at a steady pace - not the same force.

The cylinder is an unvented system and I have water from the mains - and in previous times I have topped it up easily and could hear it being topped up.

So is this likely to be the gauge? Or some other issue? Thanks for your help.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I would say yes does the gauge move at all when both valves are opened ?

 

[blueplanet]

I would say yes does the gauge move at all when both valves are opened ?

It moved slightly. But if it was the gauge - surely I would hear it filling up still? i.e. even if the faulty the topping up would continue if both valves were open?

 

[Ben-gee]

Not once the pressure in the system is equal to the mains pressure, then nothing will move.