nightmare on leaking system

[daveeg]

This is driving me mental. Had a call 5 days ago to check out a pressure drop in a flat. Client said it has been happening for about 5 years but she really neeeds it fixed.

its a brand new boiler and there is no signs of leaks on the pipework above floor level. We have ripped up lamanite in hall and bedrooms to get to every pipe and fitting to feel for leaks but no joy.

She had her kitchen and bathroom done after the leak so no new installation problems. The only places left to look now are kitchen and bathroom that have natural tiled floors...nightmare.

It takes about 4 hours to drop 1/10th of a bar as it is a sealed system

I Have checked drain valve it is fine

It only happens when central heating is off?

Its a combi boiler

?????

thanks

 

[fatplumber]

If it's a brand new boiler then how come she's had the problem for years?

 

[daveeg]

If it's a brand new boiler then how come she's had the problem for years?

the vokera she had before was faulty so she got me to change it but didn't tell me about the leak until later. i installed a vaillant ecotec 831

 

[glasgowgas]

fill boiler to 2 bar isolate flow and return valves, leave for 24 hours.

no drop= leak in system

drop = boiler fault (prv,heat ex)

just a suggestion

 

[namsag]

Leak sealer could be worth a try

 

[daveeg]

Leak sealer could be worth a try

is leak sealer permanent

 

[daveeg]

fill boiler to 2 bar isolate flow and return valves, leave for 24 hours.

no drop= leak in system

drop = boiler fault (prv,heat ex)

just a suggestion

Would you always see water if there was a leak? or is there a chance of air beings released from pipes or rads. I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

 

[mickyg]

the vokera she had before was faulty so she got me to change it but didn't tell me about the leak until later. i installed a vaillant ecotec 831

Would you always see water if there was a leak? or is there a chance of air beings released from pipes or rads. I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

so have you flushed this system? are you an RGI?

 

[glasgowgas]

fill boiler to 2 bar isolate flow and return valves, leave for 24 hours.

no drop= leak in system

drop = boiler fault (prv,heat ex)

just a suggestion

Would you always see water if there was a leak? or is there a chance of air beings released from pipes or rads. I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

if air is being released from pipe, water will be sure to follow

 

[bengasman]

I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

How did you flush the system before/after the installation?
How do you know it only leaks when boiler is off?
How do you measure 1/10 of a bar pressure drop over 4 hours?

 

[daveeg]

I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

How did you flush the system before/after the installation?
How do you know it only leaks when boiler is off?
How do you measure 1/10 of a bar pressure drop over 4 hours?

I am a gas installer/plumber
Can detect leak loss on digital monitor on boiler
I just drained the system twice but no powerflush

 

[bengasman]

Even if the digital pressure gauge indicates to 0.1 bar, it is unlikely to be actually that accurate.
Even if it were that accurate, you have no way of compensating for expansion during that time.
If you are indeed a RGI, you should have know better than to just drain the system twice when the system is full of gunk.

 

[glasgowgas]

I noticed water is quite black and some corroding at radiators but no signs of water?

How did you flush the system before/after the installation?
How do you know it only leaks when boiler is off?
How do you measure 1/10 of a bar pressure drop over 4 hours?

I am a gas installer/plumber
Can detect leak loss on digital monitor on boiler
I just drained the system twice but no powerflush

no x400 in system for a couple of weeks before fitting new boiler,
not even some x800 for a couple of hours before fitting new boiler,
and if the rads were showing signs of corrosion before fitting new boiler
that would have got my alarm bell ringing