[Help] Plumbing advice please

The Andy Naylor Fan Club · May 12, 2020

Hi, for the last week or so I have heard water trickling outside our bathroom. I could not trace or see where it could be coming from, then water started dripping from a gap in the guttering. I took a quick video using a selfie stick (as I have no ladders) and could see water coming out of a vent onto the tiles, this vent is in our loft. I saw what appears to be an overflow pipe going into the vent and the pipe comes from the boiler that is situated in the loft. So, could you please advise me if I urgently need the services of a plumber ( I'm guessing that the fact the overflow is working then there must be an issue with the boiler), or whether I need not panic and all will still be OK in the short term? The boiler is electric and I believe installed only a couple of years ago before we bought the property. There are no other leaks or issues that I can see. We are in Peacehaven so if any plumber wants to fix and service this then please Pm me.

Water coming from pipe in vent.

Screenshot_20200512_103614_com.huawei.himovie.overseas.jpg

Pipe going in to vent.

Boiler.

BN9 BHA · May 12, 2020

You need someone that is qualified to work on unvented hot water storage systems
I no longer have this qualification, but I have a similar system and installed this type before.
Unfortunately whoever fitted this system, (from the photos I can see) is probably also not qualified IMO.
Look for someone with the correct qualifications to correct the fault and the work.

Sorry I cannot help any more than this.

BN9 BHA · May 12, 2020

[MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION]

Deleted member 2719 · May 12, 2020

Sorry, I have no plumbing advice, but I now feel I know you a bit better because you own a selfie stick.
:wink:

The Andy Naylor Fan Club · May 12, 2020

bn9 bha said:
You need someone that is qualified to work on unvented hot water storage systems
I no longer have this qualification, but I have a similar system and installed this type before.
Unfortunately whoever fitted this system, (from the photos I can see) is probably also not qualified IMO.
Look for someone with the correct qualifications to correct the fault and the work.

Sorry I cannot help any more than this.

Bugger, that doesn't sound good! Thanks for the reply I will have a look around and get a professional in.

Wrong-Direction · May 12, 2020

What a bodge, try pavilion plumbing

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SIMMO SAYS · May 12, 2020

bn9 bha said:
[MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION]

Where is the Tundish lol

The Andy Naylor Fan Club · May 12, 2020

Wrong-Direction said:
What a bodge, try pavilion plumbing

Sent from my SM-A600FN using Tapatalk

That sounds like an expensive fix. Thanks for the recommendation.

BN9 BHA · May 12, 2020

SIMMO SAYS said:
Where is the Tundish lol

I think it would be overflowing and flooding the place, there is so much wrong there.

I did the unvented course in the early 90s, at the time I was told the qualification would last for ever. Not sure when the rules got changed but I would have to go on another course and pay hundreds?? to install unvented again.
And people are fitting systems like this and getting away with it. :shrug:

gasgull · May 12, 2020

Whoever fitted that has not got any unvented cylinder knowledge.
Plastic pressure relief pipe, no tundish and no 300mm. Etc etc
Unsurprisingly no installer information on the installation detail label either.
The leak is due to the either the combination valve or just the pressure relief valve is faulty.
Possibly due to faulty expansion vessel. Lost its charge pressure.
Not overly expensive to fix. But would cost more to actually put the installation right.

BN9 BHA · May 12, 2020

gasgull said:
Whoever fitted that has not got any unvented cylinder knowledge.
Plastic pressure relief pipe, no tundish and no 300mm. Etc etc
Unsurprisingly no installer information on the installation detail label either.
The leak is due to the either the combination valve or just the pressure relief valve is faulty.
Possibly due to faulty expansion vessel. Lost its charge pressure.
Not overly expensive to fix. But would cost more to actually put the installation right.

I keep looking at the pressure relief pipe going into the tile vent and wondering what the hell went through their head to fit that.

SIMMO SAYS · May 12, 2020

Joking aside it looks from the photos one or both of the safety valves (red tops)is letting by.
The white plastic pipe should go down hill and run to a drain.
Once again going by the photos it looks like this pipe goes uphill and out of the roof.
If this pipe froze up you have a potential major hazard as there would nowhere for the water to expand.
I'm going on over forty years of plumbing & heating experience but we didn't fit many unvented systems.
Pavilion Plumbing - Charlie used to live next door to me and does all of my boilers.
I bow to anyone with better knowledge.

Papak · May 12, 2020

Wow, I'm not a plumber but I know a gash job when I see one.

The Andy Naylor Fan Club · May 12, 2020

SIMMO SAYS said:
Joking aside it looks from the photos one or both of the safety valves (red tops)is letting by.
The white plastic pipe should go down hill and run to a drain.
Once again going by the photos it looks like this pipe goes uphill and out of the roof.
If this pipe froze up you have a potential major hazard as there would nowhere for the water to expand.
I'm going on over forty years of plumbing & heating experience but we didn't fit many unvented systems.
Pavilion Plumbing - Charlie used to live next door to me and does all of my boilers.
I bow to anyone with better knowledge.

Thanks. I had a chap come and take a look. I basically asked him to put it right. He's doing the job Thursday. The pressure relief valve ( I think ) needs replacing. He is also going to install a Tundish and sort out the drainage as well. Thanks all for your help.

Rowdey · May 12, 2020

bn9 bha said:
[MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION]

SIMMO SAYS said:
Where is the Tundish lol

Been out all day and just seen this

- As others have said, bit of mess, where's the D2 etc :lol:

I'd have split the pipe to see if T&P or PRV, and pump up the EV as well (0.2bar below mains)

OP it seems you have got sorted, but if not BB Plumbing and Heating in Rotters will come out to see you.

SIMMO SAYS · May 12, 2020

Rowdey said:
Been out all day and just seen this - As others have said, bit of mess, where's the D2 etc

I'd have split the pipe to see if T&P or PRV, and pump up the EV as well (0.2bar below mains)

OP it seems you have got sorted, but if not BB Plumbing and Heating in Rotters will come out to see you.

Well done [MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION] thats lost 99% of DIY posters :lolol:

WATFORD zero · May 12, 2020

Rowdey said:
Been out all day and just seen this - As others have said, bit of mess, where's the D2 etc

I'd have split the pipe to see if T&P or PRV, and pump up the EV as well (0.2bar below mains)

OP it seems you have got sorted, but if not BB Plumbing and Heating in Rotters will come out to see you.

5 minute job then? :wink:

Rowdey · May 12, 2020

WATFORD zero said:
5 minute job then?

Well that bits not long, but draining the UC to replace T&P can be a pest.. The making good of that abomination install is a whole lot longer ..!

Rowdey · May 12, 2020

SIMMO SAYS said:
Well done [MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION] thats lost 99% of DIY posters

Good..reckon that Cylinder was put in by some YT chancer..

BN9 BHA · May 12, 2020

SIMMO SAYS said:
Well done [MENTION=230]Rowdey[/MENTION] thats lost 99% of DIY posters

I think he's even lost me......

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[Help] Plumbing advice please

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