Hi
Apologies in advance for the long post. Since we moved in we have always had problems with the combi boiler but it has got much worse recently. I will start from the very beginning as that may give clues.
When we first moved in the radiator in the 2nd bedroom was off, we turned it back on and within a couple of weeks the boiler switched off, learned this was due to the pressure dropping and refilled it. A month or so later the same thing happened so refilled the boiler again, same thing happened again and this time turned the radiator off. The problem didn't really occur again. At times the radiator which we have had switched off has changed but the pressure has been more or less ok as long as not all the rads are on, the pressure drops to a certain level (quite low) and then would stay at that level for months, it only needed filling occasionally.
This year that changed, in the winter the boiler kept turning off about once a month and I had to refill. The system was always pretty noisy but got alot worse. Towards the end of the winter the radiator in our living room kept going cold and would need bleeding or the boiler topping up with water about every two weeks.
I finally think we have enough money to get this all fixed and will probably get someone in but would like to understand what it is that could be wrong (could also help in not being ripped off).
I know losing pressure can be due to leaks but in 5 years have never found evidence of where one could be. The boiler was checked when we first moved in and was deemed fine. I am pretty sure (i'm at work) the boiler is a Volkera Linea (on your trouble some list), the radiators downstairs look pretty old.
Any advice, things to try, reliable plumbers in Northants very greatly appreciated.
P.S we have 4 rads downstairs and 3 upstairs.
Apologies in advance for the long post. Since we moved in we have always had problems with the combi boiler but it has got much worse recently. I will start from the very beginning as that may give clues.
When we first moved in the radiator in the 2nd bedroom was off, we turned it back on and within a couple of weeks the boiler switched off, learned this was due to the pressure dropping and refilled it. A month or so later the same thing happened so refilled the boiler again, same thing happened again and this time turned the radiator off. The problem didn't really occur again. At times the radiator which we have had switched off has changed but the pressure has been more or less ok as long as not all the rads are on, the pressure drops to a certain level (quite low) and then would stay at that level for months, it only needed filling occasionally.
This year that changed, in the winter the boiler kept turning off about once a month and I had to refill. The system was always pretty noisy but got alot worse. Towards the end of the winter the radiator in our living room kept going cold and would need bleeding or the boiler topping up with water about every two weeks.
I finally think we have enough money to get this all fixed and will probably get someone in but would like to understand what it is that could be wrong (could also help in not being ripped off).
I know losing pressure can be due to leaks but in 5 years have never found evidence of where one could be. The boiler was checked when we first moved in and was deemed fine. I am pretty sure (i'm at work) the boiler is a Volkera Linea (on your trouble some list), the radiators downstairs look pretty old.
Any advice, things to try, reliable plumbers in Northants very greatly appreciated.
P.S we have 4 rads downstairs and 3 upstairs.
