No hot water!!!!

[andyfranks]

Our radiators are working fine but we haven't been getting any hot water for about a week now...not good for showering! The water is hot for about 30 seconds then starts to run cold. Our boiler seems to be working fine and the hot water tank upstairs seems to be hot. Our house is about 18 years old and we don't appear to have a cold water tank in the loft. There are two pumps in the airing cupboard linked in to the hot water tank. These are Grundfos pumps and I'm assuming that perhaps one of them has failed but they both seem to be whiring away fine. The immersion heater sounds like its heating the tank when we switch it on - but still no hot water. Cant really afford a plumber at the moment. Any ideas anyone?

 

[Kristoflampie]

Mixing valve faulty......... reading the crystal ball here but it sounds like a thermal store with one pump for the boiler to heat the cylinder and one for heating, usually has a mixing valve to control hot water temp...... could be goosed???/

 

[andyfranks]

Thanks for responding, do you think a new pump is needed?

 

[Agile]

Thats odd when Kristo tells you that he thinks its the mixing valve and you reply to ask if he thinks its the pump!

 

[andyfranks]

Sorry - thought that valve might be part of the pump! I've had a look at the tank and there is a valve on there with MIX written on it. I'm assuming that's the mixing valve. It looks like this:

http://www.advancedwater.co.uk/IMAGES/BRAWA MIXING VALVE 1.JPG

If I get this replaced, do you reckon that will solve the problem?

Thanks guys.

 

[Agile]

A valve with MIX on it sounds like a very strong clue!

Sometimes the old ones can be cleaned out but a new one is easier for a DIYer.

Tony

 

[andyfranks]

Thanks Tony, off to a plumbers merchants this afternoon! Thanks so much for your help and I'll let you know if it worked! Have to get this sorted today, the kids are covered in chocolate and need a warm bath!!!!

 

[andyfranks]

Nobody seems to have a mixing valve like this one! Even the plumbers merchants hadn't got one...might be an internet job...!

 

[ddk]

the manufacturer of those mixing valves is 'oventrop'. try putting that into google

 

[andyfranks]

Thanks DDK - that was a big help. I've found the website...only problem, do I need a 'blending valve' or a 'mixing valve' or are they the same thing?!!!

 

[ddk]

same thing mate. not a bad job to do your self either. turn off mains water at your stop tap and open all the hot taps in the house, then simply disconnect the 3 nuts on the valve. just make sure you replace the rubber washers with new ones (they should come with the valve)

 

[Kristoflampie]

Oh the joys of discussion using the powers of second sight......... Now we have identified the part would love to know if it gets fixed
A wee round of applause to all the lads on here that regularly offer brilliant diagnosis on the basis of no information other than a vague description...... and to the recipients , its nice to know if things actually work..... let us know and then folks..