Boiler calamity?

[dpm_dpmartin]

I was sitting in the home office when I heard the central heating system gurgling and a wishy-washy sound... I thought "that's not normal" and went to the boiler cupboard (where there is a Glow-worm Flexicom 30sx, a big tank and a smaller tank) to observe water rushing visibly through this piece (some of it splashing around)...

So I panicked a bit and ended up turning off this valve that appears to go to the tank above...

The rushing water then stopped... well, it hasn't stopped, but it's a gurgling dribble instead.

Obviously something's not right - and I'll need the experts calling-in - but it would be good to get any views from the Internet experts!

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

Oh, the water was hot and that thick white pipe is still very hot to the touch.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Call a professional.

 

[Aquaheat]

Safety devices have operated on the unvented cylinder.

A suitably qualified G3 engineer needs to be called to diagnose the fault and rectify.

Jon

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

Thank you - at least I know what to ask for. Should I be going direct to Glow-worm?

Is it possible for me to easily just turn the whole thing off? It is making some noises I'm not comfortable with. Gurgles, the odd knock.

 

[Agile]

The "big white thing" is an unvented cylinder.

They should really be serviced every year.

When was yours last serviced?

Tony

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

No, it's not been serviced since I bought the house in mid-2014.

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

It's not clear to me how I can just turn this system "off" until I can get someone around. Have I done the right thing by turning that big green valve?

Boiler only has 3 buttons - Mode and -, + - there are a number of switches on the wall....

It might just now have stopped gurgling... water appears to have stopped going through that black plastic part that's open. I don't trust it.

 

[Agile]

They are relatively basic and the fault will probably be solved by what will be included in a proper service.

Tony

 

[endecotp]

Turn off the three electrical switches shown in your photo, and any other similar ones.
Don't worry about turning off any more water pipe valves.

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

The white plastic pipe is starting to cool down now.

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

I've been in touch with a firm I've used for doing GSCs and services in the past. Provided a link to this thread so the pictures can speak for themselves.

Could anyone just help me understand whether when the safety devices have operated on the unvented cylinder I can then 'reset' the system and turn it all back on again - switches and the valve I turned horizontal - and it'll go back to operating normally, or is it more likely a non-resettable error condition?

Confirmed I have no hot water at the moment, which wasn't a surprise. Would like to not not have hot water over the weekend if someone cannot come out, say, today.

Also very curious why I have an 'open' pipe... it was intriguing to see water flowing (dropping) across an open space like it was. Is that normal?

 

[bernardgreen]

Also very curious why I have an 'open' pipe... it was intriguing to see water flowing (dropping) across an open space like it was. Is that normal?

Having an open pipe is normal. In fact it is essential. Water flowing through it is not normal and indicates a fault in the system.

1/ the pressure in the sealed tank is too high and the safety pressure relief valve is opening to relieve the pressure ( to prevent the risk of the tank bursting )

2/ the safet valve is opening at a lower pressure than it should.

3/ the over temperature valve is opening because the water in the tank is too hot.

The open space is to allow you to see that the safety valve has opened. It also provides an escape route for water from the safey valve if for some reason the drain pipe is blocked.

What ever the fault you need a competent G3 registered technician to service the system to ensure it is safe and that your insurance is not invalidated.

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

Thank you for this. I'd never noticed that pipe was open like that before. Good to know it's normal and essential. Having not had the system installed myself I wondered whether it was a cowboy job.

I have "reset" the system about 10 minutes ago and my radiators appear to be getting warm - the readout on the boiler started at 20 degrees and is now at 55 and rising. It seems to be operating as it has done for the last couple of years.

I've asked for it to be looked at and serviced... I don't have a day or time yet. I will keep my eye on things and turn it all off again if anything seems untoward.

 

[dpm_dpmartin]

Well, I know my answer to the reset.

I turned it all back to how it was and within 20 minutes water started to flow through the black plastic bit again. Better leave it all off.