Tees after pump

[keithsto]

Hi all,

Please see the attached sketch showing how I think my plumbing is arranged in the airing cupboard.

I've a slight leak on the area circled but I'm more interested in why there is a tee after the pump with no motorised valve?

The house is 2008 so fairly new.

Thanks for any advice.

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• keithsto
• 15 Feb 2015
• 1

 

[picasso]

It's a bypass valve. it allows flow back to the boiler when the zone valves have shut down .

 

[keithsto]

Thanks for the reply.

Any idea why the pipe work branches into two after this valve? Shouldn't it just go straight to the main pipe back into the boiler?

 

[Terry lambert]

Do you have any towel rails that get hot when your only calling for hot water?

 

[keithsto]

I don't have any towel rails. There is a plinth heater in the kitchen but there is no electricity supply to the fan (heater part plumbed into heating)

Wouldn't it be unusual to rig a radiator into the return line from the boiler coil? Although I admit I can't think of much else?

Presumably the thermostatic valves wouldn't be an issue requiring an alternative path? Upstairs have valves but there are none downstairs.

 

[Agile]

Why is the plinth heater not wired to the electricity supply?

Tony

 

[keithsto]

Good question!

I think perhaps the builders didn't allow for the socket in the cupboard under the sink.

 

[keithsto]

I think its the return from the upstairs radiators?

The main boiler lines are 28mm and this is a 22mm coming up from the floorboards perhaps?

Any ideas on the best technique to repair the leaking pipe?

I'm thinking the system will have to be drained, perhaps using a drain on a downstairs radiator, followed by someone who knows how to solder pipes!

Would plastic be acceptable in this situation? Or is copper better?

Thanks

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• keithsto
• 21 Feb 2015
• 1

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• keithsto
• 21 Feb 2015
• 1

 

[PK Gas]

Drain from a low point as much as necessary so no water left in leaking pipe, probably an air vent around the section your working on so once pulling air in you'll be ready to go.
Then unsweat the leaking joint clean all up then your choice but ideally resoldered.
I would say not ideal if you haven't tried something similar before