basic question about boliers and water supply

[peter anderson]

Do you have to turn off a boiler when you turn off the mains water stopcock to do basic things like changing the washer on an upstairs bath tap and running off the water in the basin below to empty the water from the pipe?

If you leave the bolier on isn't there a danger that the boiler will be starved of water. If the bolier is starved of water could that damge the boiler in any way?

 

[HenryRoot]

(1) No, assuming it is not a combi boiler.

(2) No

 

[peter anderson]

thanks for replying.

If it is a combi boiler does if have to be turned off if the mains cold water supply is turned off?

 

[masona]

If it is a combi boiler does if have to be turned off if the mains cold water supply is turned off?

No,because the combi won't work for hot taps supply unless the water pressure is there,but the heating will as it's a sealed system.

If the bolier is starved of water could that damge the boiler in any way?

The boiler would overheat therefore the boiler stat will shut the boiler down.

 

[oilman]

If it was completely empty, it would probably be damaged before the thermostat operated.

 

[masona]

If it was completely empty, it would probably be damaged before the thermostat operated.

Oppps,and the boiler might start up again once cool down again!

 

[peter anderson]

So conventional boilers don't need to be turned off but combi boilers do if the cold water stopcock has to be turned off for any reason.

 

[masona]

If you turn off the water mains,the combi boiler will still works on the heating system as it's a sealed system,the only thing you can't do is to top up the system via the loop from the water mains when off.The hot water to taps will not works as it need the water pressure to operate it.