Mark, Brilliant, answers all the questions I have ever had about leaking heating - easy to listen to, easy to understand and it is clear you are an expert. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you are a gentleman and a scholar!
Can I just say... 4 minutes in, and you've hit my issue SPOT ON. THANK YOU !!! Been loosing pressure for a little while now, but was getting worse. Went to see if I could find the pressure relieve valve outlet myself, with the help of this video I did. AND sure enough, it's leaking about a cup of water every hour.
Thanks for this. Our boiler loses pressure over a few days of running and can see drops of water out PRV. The engineer who fitted it opened the valve when fitting it as it was overfilled. Hopefully they accept it’s their mistake and change it free
Hi Mark, thanks for the video. I wish you were closer to were I live - I presume Woking is too far away for you. I have a new-ish Vailant Ecotec 25 - 18 months old, it has been serviced twice. The pressure is all over the place - for example over the past four nights it has twice fallen to zero and twice increased by 0.5 - o.8 bar. On good days the pressure increases by about 0.25 bar, on bad days it drops, if not to zero then at least enough to throw an F22 three or four times in the day. (It doesn't seem to make much difference if the heating is on or off, but it doesn't happen in the summer when the heating is never on. I generally reset it on the highish side ~1.8 - 1.9 in the hope that it might either last a bit longer or help to locate any leak; the highest I've seen it rise to is 2.7 bar- too high I know but no sign of water in the PRV pipe). We called the service engineer who thought it was a blocked heat exchanger. We called Vailant (it's still under warranty) and they tested it and assured us it wasn't, it had to be a leak in the system; they replaced the PRV as a precaution. There is no sign of any leak anywhere above ground (the radiators are all new) so we called a specialist leak-detection company. They spent about 6 hours with their specialist equipment and dug up much of our newish wooden floor and bathroom tiles. They found a slight 'seepage' from a plastic pipe connection but not enough they thought to cause the rapid drop I see on bad days. They were right; fixing it has made no discernible difference. So we have the Vailant engineer, the service engineer (OVO) and the specialist leak company all saying 'we've done all we can'. Vailant suggest I add some Fernox F4 leak sealer to the system but I'm a bit loath to do so given the pressure rises and the inconsistency of the pressure losses. Very aware of your advice that constant topping up is bad for the system, and I'm having to do so 10 - 20 times a week, any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
One of the best videos IV seen. Especially showing where it could leak from and what it can look like if leaking. My en suite towel rail was leaking from its connection at bottom, just felt rusty when heating was on, first thing in morning before heating on felt it and it was wet slightly enough to cause pressure drop over time. Amazing stuff. Very hard to find it even tho it was right under our nose. Thank you very much.
I found that the tenant was on a pay as you go electricity meter and he often let it run out beyond the emergency credit, so when he added credit, the boiler would go through its start up sequence which I beleive can perge water through the pressure releif valve (PRV) and so over time the pressure dropped. This also caused the PRV to start leaking as it was operating frequenly, and which finally failed on Christmas day! Luckily the boiler had a 5 year warrenty and they came out and fixed it for free! The new teant keeps it in credit all the time and so has not had the pressure drop.
What is your experience with last resort leak sealers? I have a leak under downstairs floor (somewhere) and used Fernox F4. Boiler is finally holding pressure now, just curious how long it might last. I was losing 1.0 bar a month so not a big leak.
interesting video. If you have a pressure drop and need to top up twice daily from 1/2 to 1 1/2 bar, is it possible that the leak is on the house side of the boiler if none of the rads have any air in them when bled. the boiler (5 yr old oil worcester bosch) has just been serviced and is apparently all good with no leaks, there are no damp patches that we can see and none of the rads seem to have any leaks at any valves, there is no carpet to absorb any moisture, its all laminate, lino or tiled.
So I'm currently topping up my system at least once a day! Goes from 1.5/2 down to 0 that quickly. Only large amount of water I can see is coming out of the condensate pipe - does this mean it's the boiler likely at fault and if so, specifically what should be checked first? Expansion vessel (external) and head (switch) has been chnegd already, along with hot water cylinder!
13:00 13th Feb 2024. I've just had a new boiler fitted and within a fortnight the pressure kept dropping daily. Sometimes with no hot water.The supplier says there is a leak on my system but it can't be the boiler because it's new and there is no visible water drops. Is there anything I can do? Could flushing the system have disturbed a joint?
My pressure kept dropping 2 times per day. Turned out to be a nail through the radiator pipe. Had a new bathroom fitted including new floorboards. Only way to fix it rip all the floor up including the Tiles and new shower unit. Company who fitted bathroom dragging their heels. Hope to have the bathroom fixed by Christmas.
Hi Mark you mention near end of video there would be a link to a video where you used Leak Sealer but I can’t find the link, did you ever make that video? Thanks.
Hello, thanks for your video. I have had numerous repairs (into double figures) done by professionals on an unvented cylinder system, due to constant running water in tundish and recognise the replace PRV solution described here but unfortunately this has not worked for us. We have now replaced the thermostat but think it is actually the fact that the boiler keeps firing regardless of the temperature and even when it is set to OFF on the control panel. I think this blows out all the valve replacements over time due increased hot water pressure. Pressure on the heating keeps dropping and we get boiler leaks although we are always advised this is a separate circuit and an unrelated issue. We think it could be due to pressure build up in the heating coil caused by the generally too high temperature in the cylinder. Further research suggests it could be a faulty auxiliary switch but I am not a plumber so just going on internet searches. Any advice would be most welcome as we have not been able to get anyone to solve the issue to date. Many thanks!
Hi I'm having this issue to please i could really use advice to please to fix this. I have uploaded the video of the issue I'm having with Glowworm boiler some help would be appreciated thanks.
I had a new Worcester boiler installed 2 years ago. Within a month I noticed the pressure was dropping to zero, the installer said it's most likely because I moved from a 34 year old boiler that didn't rely on pressure and the pipes of the same age might find a pressurised system caused a small leak. At the 1st service I pointed out i found a leak on a pipe before the boiler having done the checks on a video similar to yours. Then magically at the 2nd service. The older engineer didn't say anything but it appears the boiler now doesn't drop any pressure at all EVEN after a month. Where as every 2 to 3 weeks it was going from 1. 5 to zero. Is it possible that when it got installed 2 years ago, something like a valve wasn't fully tightened?
Hi Mark, thanks for your informative video. I have a Vailant system boiler with a tank next to it . The water is running out of the Tundish. I would appreciate your advice Thanks Ahmad
@@MarkBallardLTDHeatingEngineer hi I have a question when I turn on my hot water the boiler pressure goes down on the bar and it is losing pressure very slightly any suggestions please
Cheers for this! My boiler has been losing pressure for a few months. Pressure relief valve dripping. Boiler an old one so when it goes again it's being replaced. Nice to know why I'm having to top up though.
If it's a Closed system the Expansion Pressure Vessel that has lost charge, same acts as a safety device allowing the hot water to expand as its heated within the boiler and the domestic heating system in general ...you're best to have it checked out, if you can locate the tyre valve on the vessel, very briefly push a match stick onto the valve stem it should have Air coming out... If Water comes out it has Failed...if no air comes out, allow the whole system to cool down, then charge that empty Air Vessel to 1Bar...with a foot pump and see if it makes a difference. sometimes it's best call a Heating Engineer and get a Full service and the Boiler could last several years more with some LOVE. and you would save money with lower Heating Bills too...
Could an Aladin auto vent cause this issue? I've just had ideal vogue installed just over a week ago and had to top pressure up 3 time's already think I'm going to have to call the installer back.
Hi, Mr Ballard i have problem my combi unit no hot water coming to my tap , sometimes my pump keep running even all taps are close do you have any advice to me. im from Ireland Thanks Godbless!
A month or so ago the release valve on our furnace was leaking, lost all pressure. I called a friend who came over to take a look at it, and just as he got started the leaking stopped! All good, just need to refill -- NO. Now we keep losing pressure. The basement especially the furnace room gets hot while the rest of the house gets cold, I refill every two or three days. There has been no more water dripping out of the release valve. But there is an old open ended pipe in the basement toilet room which I have discovered that water is dripping out of. I don't know what to do!
Morning great video I have a problem with my boiler works fine on hot water 💧 but as soon as the heating is used it runs and works but when the heating goes of and boiler cools down all pressure is lost and you have to repressure it I’ve checked the prv and that isn’t running any ideas does it sound like a radiator valve leak there isn’t any sign of a pipe leaking Any ideas would be most appreciated
Mark Ballard LTD it seems to be going into the condensate drain off been watching it with the heating on and it seems to be water going straight into it as watching kept topping up the pressure as it kept dropping with heating on
Both PRVs didn't need replaced and the filling loop didn't need to be renewed, a recall to a wrong diagnosis and repair (I hope the customer was reimbursed)
Maybe someone can help me. Cant repressurise my boiler, pressure meter shows 0 and then I open valves there is nothing going on, no sound no nothing...There is additional valve dont know why maybe to check pressure or what, so then I opening it there comes very little stream of water with no pressure. Can someone soggest where is the problem? I live in apartment, could there be somewhere additional valve that closes water or something? Is it possible that some parts get stuck inside boiler? Because I was using it all time and one day I started it and after some time protectors shut out. I can still run it but pressure not increasing and I think after some time all situations will repeat again.
My heating stopped Christmas Day, no heating or hot water since and it’s now 27th night…, still no heating or hot water with three kids and health issues…😢
Mark, Brilliant, answers all the questions I have ever had about leaking heating - easy to listen to, easy to understand and it is clear you are an expert. Thank you for sharing your knowledge, you are a gentleman and a scholar!
Can I just say... 4 minutes in, and you've hit my issue SPOT ON. THANK YOU !!!
Been loosing pressure for a little while now, but was getting worse.
Went to see if I could find the pressure relieve valve outlet myself, with the help of this video I did.
AND sure enough, it's leaking about a cup of water every hour.
Very good video. Enjoyed watching to the end!
Thanks for this. Our boiler loses pressure over a few days of running and can see drops of water out PRV. The engineer who fitted it opened the valve when fitting it as it was overfilled. Hopefully they accept it’s their mistake and change it free
Excellent video Mark thanks for uploading it for us
I’m also a heating engineer but we never stop learning !
Hi Mark, thanks for the video. I wish you were closer to were I live - I presume Woking is too far away for you. I have a new-ish Vailant Ecotec 25 - 18 months old, it has been serviced twice. The pressure is all over the place - for example over the past four nights it has twice fallen to zero and twice increased by 0.5 - o.8 bar. On good days the pressure increases by about 0.25 bar, on bad days it drops, if not to zero then at least enough to throw an F22 three or four times in the day. (It doesn't seem to make much difference if the heating is on or off, but it doesn't happen in the summer when the heating is never on. I generally reset it on the highish side ~1.8 - 1.9 in the hope that it might either last a bit longer or help to locate any leak; the highest I've seen it rise to is 2.7 bar- too high I know but no sign of water in the PRV pipe). We called the service engineer who thought it was a blocked heat exchanger. We called Vailant (it's still under warranty) and they tested it and assured us it wasn't, it had to be a leak in the system; they replaced the PRV as a precaution. There is no sign of any leak anywhere above ground (the radiators are all new) so we called a specialist leak-detection company. They spent about 6 hours with their specialist equipment and dug up much of our newish wooden floor and bathroom tiles. They found a slight 'seepage' from a plastic pipe connection but not enough they thought to cause the rapid drop I see on bad days. They were right; fixing it has made no discernible difference. So we have the Vailant engineer, the service engineer (OVO) and the specialist leak company all saying 'we've done all we can'. Vailant suggest I add some Fernox F4 leak sealer to the system but I'm a bit loath to do so given the pressure rises and the inconsistency of the pressure losses. Very aware of your advice that constant topping up is bad for the system, and I'm having to do so 10 - 20 times a week, any suggestions would be very much appreciated.
I have a leaking radiator valve then noticed boiler pressure went down to zero. Are they both related
One of the best videos IV seen. Especially showing where it could leak from and what it can look like if leaking. My en suite towel rail was leaking from its connection at bottom, just felt rusty when heating was on, first thing in morning before heating on felt it and it was wet slightly enough to cause pressure drop over time. Amazing stuff. Very hard to find it even tho it was right under our nose. Thank you very much.
Thanx so much ,this worked and saved me a call 2 council and waiting maybe couple of days to get it fixed ,amazing
Thank you for the tips and I like that you showed real examples. Excellent video.
Nice to know a few plumbing tricks of the trade.
Great video you really know your game.
Tricks of the trade
Saved me a call out thanks Mr Ballard.
I also saved a call out with this video .
Great advice my tenant has water leaking out of the PRV at least I can tell the plumber
Really good thorough video. Thanks for uploading it.
Hi Mark, thanks for your informative video, keep the good work. You have given us lots of advise. Thank you vey much.
Thank you very much
For answering most of my questions
I found that the tenant was on a pay as you go electricity meter and he often let it run out beyond the emergency credit, so when he added credit, the boiler would go through its start up sequence which I beleive can perge water through the pressure releif valve (PRV) and so over time the pressure dropped. This also caused the PRV to start leaking as it was operating frequenly, and which finally failed on Christmas day! Luckily the boiler had a 5 year warrenty and they came out and fixed it for free! The new teant keeps it in credit all the time and so has not had the pressure drop.
Well presented and informative as far as it goes.
PITY THERE'S NO MENTION OF HOW TO FIND A LEAK ON AN UNDERGROUND WATER PIPE!!!!?????
What is your experience with last resort leak sealers? I have a leak under downstairs floor (somewhere) and used Fernox F4. Boiler is finally holding pressure now, just curious how long it might last. I was losing 1.0 bar a month so not a big leak.
interesting video. If you have a pressure drop and need to top up twice daily from 1/2 to 1 1/2 bar, is it possible that the leak is on the house side of the boiler if none of the rads have any air in them when bled. the boiler (5 yr old oil worcester bosch) has just been serviced and is apparently all good with no leaks, there are no damp patches that we can see and none of the rads seem to have any leaks at any valves, there is no carpet to absorb any moisture, its all laminate, lino or tiled.
Another great video many thanks.
Very professional video and work! Nice one Mark.
So I'm currently topping up my system at least once a day! Goes from 1.5/2 down to 0 that quickly. Only large amount of water I can see is coming out of the condensate pipe - does this mean it's the boiler likely at fault and if so, specifically what should be checked first? Expansion vessel (external) and head (switch) has been chnegd already, along with hot water cylinder!
This is really an excellent video. Thanks 🙏 and also one that no one disliked 👏👏
13:00 13th Feb 2024. I've just had a new boiler fitted and within a fortnight the pressure kept dropping daily. Sometimes with no hot water.The supplier says there is a leak on my system but it can't be the boiler because it's new and there is no visible water drops. Is there anything I can do? Could flushing the system have disturbed a joint?
I now have found my leak on my radiator valve thanks.
My pressure kept dropping 2 times per day. Turned out to be a nail through the radiator pipe. Had a new bathroom fitted including new floorboards. Only way to fix it rip all the floor up including the Tiles and new shower unit. Company who fitted bathroom dragging their heels. Hope to have the bathroom fixed by Christmas.
Is there a good reason why the pressure relief shouldn't just go to an internal waste pipe?
Hi Mark you mention near end of video there would be a link to a video where you used Leak Sealer but I can’t find the link, did you ever make that video? Thanks.
Thank you so well explained a really helpful keep up the good work 🥰🥰🥰🙏
Cracks in the heat exchanger can also cause loss of water and also worth checking.
Hello, thanks for your video. I have had numerous repairs (into double figures) done by professionals on an unvented cylinder system, due to constant running water in tundish and recognise the replace PRV solution described here but unfortunately this has not worked for us. We have now replaced the thermostat but think it is actually the fact that the boiler keeps firing regardless of the temperature and even when it is set to OFF on the control panel. I think this blows out all the valve replacements over time due increased hot water pressure. Pressure on the heating keeps dropping and we get boiler leaks although we are always advised this is a separate circuit and an unrelated issue. We think it could be due to pressure build up in the heating coil caused by the generally too high temperature in the cylinder. Further research suggests it could be a faulty auxiliary switch but I am not a plumber so just going on internet searches. Any advice would be most welcome as we have not been able to get anyone to solve the issue to date. Many thanks!
Good video Mark how can I get good engineer to fix my boiler problem of linking water
Could also be a faulty pressure relief valve
Thanks for sharing this information with us
do you have any tips on how to balance the system?
Hi I'm having this issue to please i could really use advice to please to fix this. I have uploaded the video of the issue I'm having with Glowworm boiler some help would be appreciated thanks.
I had a new Worcester boiler installed 2 years ago. Within a month I noticed the pressure was dropping to zero, the installer said it's most likely because I moved from a 34 year old boiler that didn't rely on pressure and the pipes of the same age might find a pressurised system caused a small leak. At the 1st service I pointed out i found a leak on a pipe before the boiler having done the checks on a video similar to yours.
Then magically at the 2nd service. The older engineer didn't say anything but it appears the boiler now doesn't drop any pressure at all EVEN after a month. Where as every 2 to 3 weeks it was going from 1. 5 to zero.
Is it possible that when it got installed 2 years ago, something like a valve wasn't fully tightened?
Hi Mark, thanks for your informative video. I have a Vailant system boiler with a tank next to it . The water is running out of the Tundish. I would appreciate your advice
Thanks
Ahmad
Probably needs the hot water pressure vessel recharged.
@@MarkBallardLTDHeatingEngineer hi I have a question when I turn on my hot water the boiler pressure goes down on the bar and it is losing pressure very slightly any suggestions please
Brilliant , thanks for this !
Cheers for this! My boiler has been losing pressure for a few months. Pressure relief valve dripping. Boiler an old one so when it goes again it's being replaced. Nice to know why I'm having to top up though.
If it's a Closed system the Expansion Pressure Vessel that has lost charge, same acts as a safety device allowing the hot water to expand as its heated within the boiler and the domestic heating system in general ...you're best to have it checked out, if you can locate the tyre valve on the vessel, very briefly push a match stick onto the valve stem it should have Air coming out... If Water comes out it has Failed...if no air comes out, allow the whole system to cool down, then charge that empty Air Vessel to 1Bar...with a foot pump and see if it makes a difference. sometimes it's best call a Heating Engineer and get a Full service and the Boiler could last several years more with some LOVE. and you would save money with lower Heating Bills too...
Could an Aladin auto vent cause this issue? I've just had ideal vogue installed just over a week ago and had to top pressure up 3 time's already think I'm going to have to call the installer back.
Very helpful thank you!
Hi, Mr Ballard i have problem my combi unit no hot water coming to my tap , sometimes my pump keep running even all taps are close do you have any advice to me. im from Ireland Thanks Godbless!
excellent. keep dooing
A month or so ago the release valve on our furnace was leaking, lost all pressure. I called a friend who came over to take a look at it, and just as he got started the leaking stopped! All good, just need to refill -- NO. Now we keep losing pressure. The basement especially the furnace room gets hot while the rest of the house gets cold, I refill every two or three days. There has been no more water dripping out of the release valve. But there is an old open ended pipe in the basement toilet room which I have discovered that water is dripping out of. I don't know what to do!
Morning great video
I have a problem with my boiler works fine on hot water 💧 but as soon as the heating is used it runs and works but when the heating goes of and boiler cools down all pressure is lost and you have to repressure it I’ve checked the prv and that isn’t running any ideas does it sound like a radiator valve leak there isn’t any sign of a pipe leaking
Any ideas would be most appreciated
If you're topping up your boiler everyday that's pints of water you're losing. you should be able to see it coming out somewhere
Mark Ballard LTD it seems to be going into the condensate drain off been watching it with the heating on and it seems to be water going straight into it as watching kept topping up the pressure as it kept dropping with heating on
Probably there's a pain hole inside the main heat exchanger.
Have solve my poiler problem .auto vent was left open. now close no pressure drop.
?! Where is your video on filling loops and how to use them in the list below?
Both PRVs didn't need replaced and the filling loop didn't need to be renewed, a recall to a wrong diagnosis and repair (I hope the customer was reimbursed)
You're right pal fist thing I do is tap the expansion vessel with a screwdriver
Maybe someone can help me. Cant repressurise my boiler, pressure meter shows 0 and then I open valves there is nothing going on, no sound no nothing...There is additional valve dont know why maybe to check pressure or what, so then I opening it there comes very little stream of water with no pressure. Can someone soggest where is the problem? I live in apartment, could there be somewhere additional valve that closes water or something? Is it possible that some parts get stuck inside boiler? Because I was using it all time and one day I started it and after some time protectors shut out. I can still run it but pressure not increasing and I think after some time all situations will repeat again.
My heating stopped Christmas Day, no heating or hot water since and it’s now 27th night…, still no heating or hot water with three kids and health issues…😢
Very helpful, thank you!