help - hot water coming through unvented boiler tundish

[Hannahwood]

Hi I'm hoping someone can help me...!

Today I noticed there was a dripping, and now more of a flow of water sound coming from our airing cupboard. On investigation I discovered this was called a tundish as part of our unvented hot water system (we live in a flat with only electricity, no gas). The water running through this is hot.

A plumber came out, said he thinks it's the hot water valve which is the problem,but reported he could not do anything as an appropriately qualified person needs to come and see to it. He did not offer any other advice. However, they cannot come until Friday morning.....

Do I need to worry in the mean time (as some sites I've found state pressure from these cylinders could lead to pipes exploding...)?! Do I need to turn off the mains supply of water and or the electricity supply to the cylinder? Can I continue to use my shower/ taps as usual?

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you

 

[ollski]

What make and model cylinder?, many have instructions on the side which tell you how to recharge the internal expansion.

 

[muggles]

If it's hot water coming out then you should turn it off - hot water normally only drips out in serious fault conditions. It might be fine but better to be safe...

 

[Hannahwood]

Thank you both very much! Unfortunately I couldn't find any instructions on the side. To be safe I've turned off the immersion, and the taps began to run cold, as did the water through the tundish. Have now turned the mains water off too so as not to waste water and arranged for an appropriate plumber to come out tomorrow. Thank you!

 

[Nozzle]

The tundish is a tell-tale from the relief valves or regulators - do you have any pressure gauges on your system - what do they say?

For example, if the diaphragm in the expansion vessel has spilt, gone water solid, and is then heated - a relief valve will lift (this is on the primary side/circuit)

Or if the incoming regulator has been adjusted or failed, and is driving the pressure of the vessel (secondary side) higher than the relief valve, then again it'll lift. You can identify and isolate different circuit to help find out what is what.

Nozzle