Combi boiler on the way out?

[RonnyRaygun]

Our boiler has not been in the best of health for a while now.

It regularly has to be repressurised, and despite a couple of different plumbers coming out the repair has never lasted long.

Now it's not heating water properly. We get hot water intermittently, before it decides to start running cold again. It also often makes a nasty clunking sound while running the hot water.

Not sure how old it is as it was in the house when we moved in five and a half years ago. It's a Baxi, can't remember the model number, will look later this evening.

So questions:
1. Does this sound repairable?
2. Pressure has always been very low upstairs. Would we benefit from moving the combi upstairs if we have to replace it?
3. We are almost certainly going to do a loft conversion in the next five years. I assume we should ensure that the new combi is capable of coping with additional heating plus en-suite.

Thanks.

 

[stem]

It regularly has to be repressurised, and despite a couple of different plumbers coming out the repair has never lasted long.

You could be losing pressure anywhere in the system, it's not necessarily the boiler, you could change it and still have this problem.

Now it's not heating water properly. We get hot water intermittently, before it decides to start running cold again. It also often makes a nasty clunking sound while running the hot water.

That sounds like a job for the pro's

1. Does this sound repairable?

a RGI will have to inspect it and advise

2. Pressure has always been very low upstairs. Would we benefit from moving the combi upstairs if we have to replace it?

No. with combi's the hot water pressure / flow is determined by the cold main water supply, and the boiler performance. Upstairs or downstairs won't change either.

3. We are almost certainly going to do a loft conversion in the next five years. I assume we should ensure that the new combi is capable of coping with additional heating plus en-suite.

Yes especially as the loft conversion includes an additional bathroom.

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Forgot to say, it has been losing pressure through the pressure release valve (not sure if correct term). It's been repaired / replaced twice yet the problem keeps returning. This was an issue prior to the intermittent hot / cold issue.

So any ideas why the pressure valve would keep failing?

As for the pressure upstairs, are you saying that basically the boiler isn't man enough for the job of pumping the water upstairs? The pressure is fine downstairs, and cold water pressure is fine upstairs, just lacks hot water pressure on the first floor.

Thanks

 

[Agile]

Expansion vessel needs checking!

Tony

 

[RonnyRaygun]

Expansion vessel needs checking!

Tony

Is that for the loss of pressure, the intermittent hot water, or both?

 

[Agile]

Loss of pressure.

 

[mickyg]

So any ideas why the pressure valve would keep failing?

because the people who repaired it are numpties

 

[Boilerman2]

Very true a PRV never fails on its own there is always a reason. and that reason is usually the Expansion vessel - less DIY and more pro repair required on this boiler!!

 

[RonnyRaygun]

less DIY and more pro repair required on this boiler!!

Better tell that to the two professional plumbers who hae been out so far then

Would the expansion vessel cause the problem with the intermittent hot water, or is that caused by something else?

 

[DP]

Ronnie, get friends and family recommend someone. If a name comes up often, go for that. A proper service as described in the manual will improve things greatly.

What make and model boiler do you have

 

[RonnyRaygun]

It's a Baxi Platinum 24 HE.

The last guy that came out said that he wouldn't recommend getting it serviced...they don't really do much other than give it a good clean

 

[mickyg]

where are you in hertfordshire?

 

[RonnyRaygun]

where are you in hertfordshire?

Rickmansworth

 

[stem]

As for the pressure upstairs, are you saying that basically the boiler isn't man enough for the job of pumping the water upstairs? The pressure is fine downstairs, and cold water pressure is fine upstairs, just lacks hot water pressure on the first floor.

The boiler only pumps the water to the radiators. It doesn't pump the hot water going to the taps. Combi's are connected directly to the cold main water supply. This is where the pressure comes from. Under this pressure it passes through the boiler and out to the taps. There will be some pressure drop caused by the restriction of the internals of the boiler as the water passes through it, but you will get this wherever it is located. Click here for a diagram. The resistance of the boiler, the mains pressure, and the resistance of the pipework to the highest tap are all constants, none will change regardless of where the boiler is positioned between the incoming water main and the highest tap.

If there's a problem with the pressure it is because the mains water pressure is too low, the pipe system is badly designed or installed, the system is partially blocked somewhere, or the boiler is too small for the capacity you require.

 

[mickyg]

where are you in hertfordshire?

Rickmansworth

ah shame, thats a bit out my way. could of taken a looksie. Anyway, you only need a decent repair engineer. Although to be honest it may even be worth getting a callout and years cover with Baxi just to get it back to good health.