Hello, experts:
Our ceramic mixer tap, in the kitchen, is dripping and needs a new pair of glands. In the past, I have replaced the cold water tap gland with no problems. However, this time, I want to replace both hot and cold tap glands, and am scared to try this because I don't know what effect draining from the hot tap will have on the gas boiler (a Vaillant). Being inexperienced in these matters, I am afraid that, if the stop tap to the house is turned off, and the hot tap opened, to drain residual water, the boiler may need to fire up for the central heating (depending on the time of day — a timer regulates this function) and there may not be any water available to it, ruining the boiler.
If something needs to be done to make a boiler catastrophe impossible, will someone please advise me about this? I would be nervous, even, about switching the boiler off, as the only thing I ever do with it is do wash the magnetic filter and top up the pressure occasionally. All the rest, I would leave to the service engineer. However, I feel that I ought to be able to change the tap glands myself. It would seem like an unnecessary expense for a pensioner, to call in a plumber to do this.
With thanks in hopes of a clarifying answer,
A.W.
Our ceramic mixer tap, in the kitchen, is dripping and needs a new pair of glands. In the past, I have replaced the cold water tap gland with no problems. However, this time, I want to replace both hot and cold tap glands, and am scared to try this because I don't know what effect draining from the hot tap will have on the gas boiler (a Vaillant). Being inexperienced in these matters, I am afraid that, if the stop tap to the house is turned off, and the hot tap opened, to drain residual water, the boiler may need to fire up for the central heating (depending on the time of day — a timer regulates this function) and there may not be any water available to it, ruining the boiler.
If something needs to be done to make a boiler catastrophe impossible, will someone please advise me about this? I would be nervous, even, about switching the boiler off, as the only thing I ever do with it is do wash the magnetic filter and top up the pressure occasionally. All the rest, I would leave to the service engineer. However, I feel that I ought to be able to change the tap glands myself. It would seem like an unnecessary expense for a pensioner, to call in a plumber to do this.
With thanks in hopes of a clarifying answer,
A.W.
