Worcester Greenstar losing pressure

[muggo]

Hi Terry. 3 photos attached. 2 manifolds with 6 microbore pipes attached to each. I have 7 downstairs radiators so perhaps 1 nearby radiator is connected elsewhere.
The plan is to get a reliable plumber to fit new manifolds and new connections to the pipes running to the radiators. The 2 leaking connections are merely weeping water and although the bottom of the sump is damp, there's virtually no water in it. If it takes maybe 30 seconds to repressurise my system, I imagine I'm losing quite a few litres of water each time. Therefore I'm not sure new manifolds will solve my problem but they need fixing anyway.
As ever, your thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[terryplumb]

There is obviously some water loss in that area ,some of the pipework looks in poor condition ,particularly the larger copper. The pics all look like the same manifold ,is the other manifold in the same area,and same condition ?
Obviously you need to sort out all visible leaks ,and see what difference that makes.

 

[muggo]

There is obviously some water loss in that area ,some of the pipework looks in poor condition ,particularly the larger copper. The pics all look like the same manifold ,is the other manifold in the same area,and same condition ?
Obviously you need to sort out all visible leaks ,and see what difference that makes.

Yep. It’s all 40 years old. The other manifold is underneath and the phone camera only autofocusses on the top one. I agree about fixing the visible leaks and see if I still lose pressure.
I’ll update you after I’ve had it done.

 

[muggo]

Hi Terry, Just an update to say I'm still in the same position I was a few months ago ie topping up pressure every few hours. It seems plumbers around here are only interested in 30 minute boiler services for £70. One guy suggested writing off the downstairs microbore & replumbing with 15mm from upstairs. Obviously carpets & floorboards up & major damage to downstairs, but that might be the end solution. I'd appreciate your thoughts. Cheers, Paul

 

[terryplumb]

Hi, I assume there is still water present around the manifolds ? If there is ,it would seem to me to be more sensible to replace them rather than run new pipework .With all the upheaval involved in that it would be a last resort.
Given the amount of times you have added water into the system over a period of months it has to be going somewhere where you can't see it ,like under flooring. Are there heating pipes in a void under the ground floor ,or buried in concrete there ?

 

[muggo]

Hi, I assume there is still water present around the manifolds ? If there is ,it would seem to me to be more sensible to replace them rather than run new pipework .With all the upheaval involved in that it would be a last resort.
Given the amount of times you have added water into the system over a period of months it has to be going somewhere where you can't see it ,like under flooring. Are there heating pipes in a void under the ground floor ,or buried in concrete there ?

There's no more than a litre in the manifold sump, so it's more of a weep than a leak there. I've been away for 2 weeks and the upstairs rads were half empty, even at zero pressure. It took 5 minutes to top up. On a daily basis, it will drop from 1.7 bar to .5 bar in 6 hours.
The plumber who saw it most recently reckoned the sump weep wasn't big enough to cause such a large water loss and suggested re piping instead.
Microbore runs in conduits under solid concrete downstairs. No wet patches anywhere. I could rent a thermal camera but if I found a hot spot, what then?

 

[terryplumb]

I would hardly call a litre of water loss a weep !
First things first ,sort out the leaks that are visible. If that doesn't solve the issue ,then you can go to the next stage.

 

[muggo]

Hi, I assume there is still water present around the manifolds ? If there is ,it would seem to me to be more sensible to replace them rather than run new pipework .With all the upheaval involved in that it would be a last resort.
Given the amount of times you have added water into the system over a period of months it has to be going somewhere where you can't see it ,like under flooring. Are there heating pipes in a void under the ground floor ,or buried in concrete there ?

SUCCESS!!!!!
I eventually found a recommended plumber prepared to take on the job of replacing all the manifolds & making good the tails. He pressurised to 1.2bar, & 60 hours later, it's still at 1.2bar!
Thanks so much for the advice you've given me over many months. I'm very grateful.
Cheers, Paul