A drip that is driving me mad

[exdipper]

Please help me someone before I go completely insane!

I know nothing about central heating or plumbing btw.

Basically, there is a drip coming from a pipe that protrudes from my attic - I think it's from the cold water tank? It only happens when the central heating is turned on. And it doesn't happen all the time. It can also stop itself once the heat has been on for some time.

I only became aware of this a couple of years ago when we replaced our boiler during an extension project. The plumber at the time said it was just a matter of balancing the system, and to the best of my knowledge was meant to have done this. However, it kept happening, albeit sporadically, and as a slow drip.

We recently upgraded 4 radiators in our home to double rads. And since then the drip has become unbearable when the heat is on. The plumber came back today while I was at work, and is meant to have fixed it (he said something about the overflow?) but I just turned my heat on there and it's still dripping.

Is there any simple solution that I can provide myself by climbing up into the attic? Or do I have a bigger problem than I or either of my plumbers realise?

Any advice and help is appreciated - this is the closest thing to Chinese torture I hope I'll ever experience!

 

[littleleaks]

Your overflow is dripping, which means the inlet valve is not closeing properly and the cwst is overflowing. change the inlet and you should stop the drip

 

[seco services]

wouldn't say its the float valve if it only happens when the heating is on.

you sure its the cws or the f/e tank ?

 

[mogget]

wouldn't say its the float valve if it only happens when the heating is on.

It could be, if the water level in the f&e cistern is set too high.

 

[seco services]

wouldn't say its the float valve if it only happens when the heating is on.

It could be, if the water level in the f&e cistern is set too high.

yes quite poss, as you say in the f/e.
not the cws as the op said.

 

[mogget]

not the cws as the op said.

Oops - missed that

 

[exdipper]

Thanks for your replies.

Can you tell me what a cws is? and an f/e? !

Also, is this a fairly straightforward adjustment/repair not likely to cost much/anything? Or do I need to start advertising an organ for sale to pay for this?!

 

[Hugh Jaleak]

CWS - Cold Water Storage cistern, will be larger of 2 cisterns (tanks) in your loft. Feeds hot water cylinder. F + E - Feed and Expansion Cistern, supplies water to the central heating system, and allows space for the water to expand as its heated in the system. Both will be fitted with one of these: http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat...HZOSFFI?productId=11518&imageNo=null&ts=29850
Usually best to fit a new float to it at same time.
http://www.screwfix.com/app/sfd/cat...HZOSFFI?productId=19902&imageNo=null&ts=30188

If one is not shutting off correctly then the water level in that cistern will be too high, meaning it will be escaping down the overflow and causing your drip. Fairly easy to change, turn water off, and open a cold tap downstairs to drain remaining water in pipes. Undo nut attaching pipe to ball valve, remove retaining nut holding ballvalve in place from outside of cistern. Remove ball valve. Refitting is reverse procedure, may be advisible to replace fibre washer between inlet pipe and ballvalve.

 

[mogget]

For the OP -

When the heating is switched off and cold, the water in the f&e should be about 100mm deep - just enough to cover the outlet pipe.

The water level in the cold water cistern should be 100mm or so below the overflow.

If the water levels need adjusting, post again and someone will tell you how to do it.