LEAKING OVERFLOW PIPE

[blackberrie]

My overflow pipe has been leaking for a week now. I have had the plumber in twice and it's still leaking.
On the first visit the plumber changed the ballcock valve. Afterwards the pipe was still leaking and I had no hot water. So I called him back. He did something to fix the hot water I don't know what - and also syphoned off some water to stop the leak. He said there was a lot of sludge and there was probably a blockage and I need a powerflush. He quoted it would cost me £450. I can't afford that!
So I now have hot water back but over flow pipe is still leaking. I syphoned a lot of water off from the tank myself today which made it stop leaking for 10 mins, not much sludge came out this time - mainly clear water.

Do I really need a powerflush? Or could it be something a whole lot simpler. Tried calling plumber again - no response

I have an Elson Coral Si open vented water tank in my airing cupboard. The overflow pipe is connected to this. My whole central heating system is about 7 years old from when I moved into my flat. The leakage is coming out and hitting my neighbours front garden - so I am desperate to get this fixed.
Please!!!!!!!!!!! I know nothing about plumbing - feel lost.

 

[mickyg]

what happens if you isolate the water to the header tank? if it still overflows you could have a big problem. I wonder if your "plumber" really understands the system as sludge would not cause this problem directly.

 

[twgas]

I would suspect one of the coils has a leak - never had this myself on one of these, but there doesnt seem to be many in my area.

Is the central heating on a sealed system or open with the f&e tank higher than the Elson?

 

[Goldberg]

...£450. I can't afford that!

I think you're facing a bigger bill than £450.

It's very likely that your cylinder coil has reached the end of its life, and there's only one solution to that problem.

Do I really need a powerflush?

That depends on how bad the corrosion has been. But that's a secondary problem at the moment.

I am desperate to get this fixed. I know nothing about plumbing - feel lost.

Don't feel lost - you'll get plenty of help and support on here, but you need to get someone competent in to diagnose the main problem.

 

[blackberrie]

Ok - I have to admit I am a complete novice to all this - so not familar with a lot of the terms being used.
How do I isolate water to header tank?
Coil leak? How much does this cost?
I've lost faith in my plumber so how do I ensure I have someone competent diagnosing the prob.
There's so much competing advice!

 

[mickyg]

Where the pipe goes to the ball valve on the small tank, there should hopefully be some kind of isolation valve, either a tap, handle or possible a chrome fitting with a screwdriver slot in which needs to be turned 1/4turn. Have a look and post back.

EDIT: I'm not so sure now, just having looked at the diagram for this particular unit and its possible the isolation may isolate the coil as well...If the coils gone the whole thing needs replacing

 

[kevplumb]

How do I isolate water to header tank?

turn it off

Coil leak? How much does this cost?

new cylinder

I've lost faith in my plumber so how do I ensure I have someone competent diagnosing the prob.

try getting someone reccomended

There's so much competing advice!

yes but we are not there

 

[Goldberg]

How do I isolate water to header tank?

Look for a valve, which might be a stop cock (has a handle like a garden tap), or a ball-o-fix valve, which usually has a screwdriver slot that you turn (with a screwdriver).

Coil leak? How much does this cost?

£hundreds, because cylinders aren't cheap and installing them is a medium sized job.

I've lost faith in my plumber so how do I ensure I have someone competent diagnosing the prob.
There's so much competing advice!

Yes there is. You should start by asking neighbours who they've had working on their systems, and if they're happy with the quality and value of the service they received.

 

[mickyg]

if anyones wondering what problem is I've noticed here is it.
Guess where the isolation is likely to be View media item 15195

 

[blackberrie]

Ok - thanks for all of your responses

Feeling my way through this

I have the user instructions with the same diagram
The way the Elson is positioned in the airing cupboard means I cannot get to the top of it at all. Cannot see the top... I'm not even sure how the plumber even managed to change the ball cock valve. There is barely 4 inches or so between the ceiling in the airing cupboard and the top of the Elson. It's in the corner and Very awkward to get to the top and see what's going on

 

[kevplumb]

How do I isolate water to header tank?

Look for a valve, which might be a stop cock (has a handle like a garden tap), or a ball-o-fix valve, which usually has a screwdriver slot that you turn (with a screwdriver).

Coil leak? How much does this cost?

£hundreds, because cylinders aren't cheap and installing them is a medium sized job.

I've lost faith in my plumber so how do I ensure I have someone competent diagnosing the prob.
There's so much competing advice!

Yes there is. You should start by asking neighbours who they've had working on their systems, and if they're happy with the quality and value of the service they received.

must be an echo in here this afternoon

 

[twgas]

If you isolate the supply to the elson it will turn off both the hot tap water AND the supply to the ball valve in the top of it.
If you still get an overflow of water it will be the coil in the elson. If the overflow stops you need to tie up the ball valve in the elson and then reinstate the main supply, if the overfowing returns the domestic coil is holed - either of these will need a new tank.

 

[blackberrie]

ok - turned the screw on the isolation valve. Still dripped
Turned off the main supply (was I supposed to do that???) no dripping
Cannot access the ball valve myself to adjust too awkwardly positioned.
Have I done this right - if so what does this mean?

By the way the model is an Elson Coral B MK II. Somehow I've been left with the wrong user instructions for the tank - which added to my confusion!

 

[mickyg]

Sounds like the heater coil has gone, but then this would mean you would be regularly topping up the heating system? Is this the case?

 

[blackberrie]

Nope not topping it up at all

You all seem to feel that it's the heater coil

I'm so surprised the plumber did not diagnose this on the second visit and just recommended a power flush. he did not even mention heater coil as possibility