Price to change a pressure valve on a boiler?

[armyash]

I've changed about 15 working for the firm I'm with ATM, and genuinely one of the easiest jobs I've ever done long as you can get your spanner n grips in, but I've never had to drain down

Getting spanner and grips in will be no problem. What about the 22mm that goes in to the inlet on the cylinder? Does that have a non return valve built in?? That's what I wasn't sure about

 

[PlumbersMate]

Getting spanner and grips in will be no problem. What about the 22mm that goes in to the inlet on the cylinder? Does that have a non return valve built in?? That's what I wasn't sure about

Don't think so tbh. That's why I said to billy about drain down as mine I've never had to drain but iirc all my ones I changed were above inlet so perhaps that's why

 

[armyash]

I'll take a wet vac, 10 dust sheets and crack a nut after I have isolated and see what happens.

Would it be worth fitting one of those easy fit isolators before the inlet do you think? Would save draining down.

 

[armyash]

Also, depending on if I have to drain down or not what would you guys charge for changing the valve?

Thanks

 

[Ermintrude]

The multi valve should have a nrv. Also the lever on top is an ISo . I would clean inlet gauze too. Are you g3 qualified? If you turn off ISo and crack prv on head of multi valve it should prove nrv working . Where is expansion for cylinder? Is it a bubble top as if bubble gone you may not even need to change valve. But if your not qualified you should leave it to someone who is as you don't appear competent. Don't mean to. Be rude but if your unsure leave it alone!

 

[Gray0689]

Drain down 30 mins
Change valve if like for like 30mins tops
Refill 30mins
For you ask a homer I'd be saying £50 to £60 plus parts

 

[armyash]

The multi valve should have a nrv. Also the lever on top is an ISo . I would clean inlet gauze too. Are you g3 qualified? If you turn off ISo and crack prv on head of multi valve it should prove nrv working . Where is expansion for cylinder? Is it a bubble top as if bubble gone you may not even need to change valve. But if your not qualified you should leave it to someone who is as you don't appear competent. Don't mean to. Be rude but if your unsure leave it alone!

I do have g3 but haven't really used it. I'm not in a position to turn work down, If I take my time and double check everything I do then I will be capable of changing this. What I am more concerned about is isolating correctly so I don't flood the place. (Obviously it's a confidence issue but whenever I am working the thing that scares me is worrying if I have isolated and drained sufficiently) Once I know I have isolated I'm fine.

I might not be competent as such but if I pass this job on then I won't be confident to do it next time I get the chance. Have to learn some how.

I'd rather appear incompetent on this forum while I'm trying get as much info as possible so that when I do go and do the job I have a better idea of what I'm doing and can appear confident in what I'm doing. If it takes me an hour longer than most but I walk away with the job done correct and no mishaps then I've learnt something and can take that confidence with me the next time I come across this.

I appreciate what you are saying though.

 

[Gray0689]

Ash we all had to Learn mate no question is stupid if you don't know the answer

Just looked at pic again is that a 22mm ballofix at cylinder connection.
Be handy if it is

 

[armyash]

Ash we all had to Learn mate no question is stupid if you don't know the answer

Just looked at pic again is that a 22mm ballofix at cylinder connection.
Be handy if it is

I don't think it is a ballofix, the picture isn't the clearest.....could be a non return valve? (probably wishful thinking).

thanks for your replies.

 

[Ermintrude]

No defo need to learn. Is there an external expansion vessel for DHW? If not it's a bubble top or a mess. Bubble top is a megaflow type. There should be instructions on cyl as how u should recharge bubble.

 

[Killy Bing]

Tbh as for draining it, mains off, open prv on combi valve and make sure it terminates correctly and doesn't back up to the tundish.

every time ive replaced a valve ive had the vacuum break letting the contents of the cylinder spill out.

ash how close is it to me and when are you going?
you can meet my short aris'd self 🙂

 

[Ermintrude]

What's coming off that tee at inlet of cylinder? Pumped return or a doc?

 

[armyash]

No defo need to learn. Is there an external expansion vessel for DHW? If not it's a bubble top or a mess. Bubble top is a megaflow type. There should be instructions on cyl as how u should recharge bubble.

It was a megaflow so hopefully it's the bubbletop. This will be a good job for me to become more familiar with this type of work, I have assisted on a few cylinder installs (I did all the work while working as an improver for a firm but it was when I first started so was a bit much to take in). This I will be able to do at my own pace so I'm looking forward to it.

 

[tomplumb83]

Haven't read the full thread but if youre struggling to isolate anything why not just stick a lever valve at the base of cylinder

 

[armyash]

What's coming off that tee at inlet of cylinder? Pumped return or a doc?

I'm not sure. What's doc?

 

[armyash]

Tbh as for draining it, mains off, open prv on combi valve and make sure it terminates correctly and doesn't back up to the tundish.

every time ive replaced a valve ive had the vacuum break letting the contents of the cylinder spill out.

ash how close is it to me and when are you going?
you can meet my short aris'd self 🙂

It's in Detling Killy.

I'm not sure when I'll be doing it yet as I have to work around her and as everything is working ok she's not desperate for it to be done. She said anytime over the next 2 weeks will do as she is going away for a week then. I'm hoping to order the part tomorrow or Monday and get it done early next week - all depending on finishing work at a decent hour.

 

[armyash]

Haven't read the full thread but if youre struggling to isolate anything why not just stick a lever valve at the base of cylinder

That's what I was thinking, I did mention it in a earlier post.

 

[Killy Bing]

It's in Detling Killy.

I'm not sure when I'll be doing it yet as I have to work around her and as everything is working ok she's not desperate for it to be done. She said anytime over the next 2 weeks will do as she is going away for a week then. I'm hoping to order the part tomorrow or Monday and get it done early next week - all depending on finishing work at a decent hour.

Does she have poor water pressure/flow or is the relief running?
i cant see why to replace it other than them.

i'll send you my number, let me know when you're doing it i'm happy to come along 🙂
whatever time.

 

[armyash]

Ok thanks I appreciate it.

The combination valve has a leak on it and the last guy advised to replace. She has a bowl under it and empties it once a week so it's not critical that's it's done immediately.

 

[Ermintrude]

If it's a megaflow :- defo bubble gone! I wouldn't even order parts !

Doc - drain off chopper

 

[armyash]

If it's a megaflow :- defo bubble gone! I wouldn't even order parts !

Doc - drain off chopper

really?

Customer said all is working ok it's just this valve has a leak.

 

[PlumbersMate]

I had one where the valve was leaking from the actuall pressure setting control, needed tightening and done, not bad for £90 odd an hour, good old BG

 

[Ermintrude]

Really if the bubble has gone when cylinder is hot DHW got no place to expand to so the vale (correct name , expansion relief valve) opens and drops. It's a common fault. Google - recharge air bubble on megaflow .

 

[Killy Bing]

Really if the bubble has gone when cylinder is hot DHW got no place to expand to so the vale (correct name , expansion relief valve) opens and drops. It's a common fault. Google - recharge air bubble on megaflow .

I'll pop along and help out.

ash have you checked if the relief pipe is running outside?

is the leak coming from the valve body or from the compression to the relief pipe?

 

[tamz]

No drain off between the component and cylinder.

Thats why the other guy gave them a rubber ear. It will be a pita to drain. Easiest way is screw on one of those self cutting washing machine valves then you can run a hose. You need your unvented ticket to work on this. Btw it is probably not the expansion valve that is at fault. Look elsewhere for the problem. I should read the whole thing before posting. Most likely needs recharging or pressure reducer

 

[armyash]

I'll pop along and help out.

ash have you checked if the relief pipe is running outside?

is the leak coming from the valve body or from the compression to the relief pipe?

I haven't checked the relief pipe.

It's coming from the valve body somewhere or the black part which is at the bottom of the valve, was a bit too tight to get a view from all angles had to just use my hands. I was hoping it was just leaking from one of the nuts but no such luck.

 

[armyash]

Thats why the other guy gave them a rubber ear. It will be a pita to drain. Easiest way is screw on one of those self cutting washing machine valves then you can run a hose. You need your unvented ticket to work on this. Btw it is probably not the expansion valve that is at fault. Look elsewhere for the problem. I should read the whole thing before posting. Most likely needs recharging or pressure reducer

Thanks. yes the more I think about it a self cutting valve seems likes it's going to be the best option.

 

[tamz]

Check the air bubble first. (turn the water off drain the taps, open the t/prv until it stops running and turn on again) Megaflows are a pita. They may look neat in a cpd but the air bubble principle is garbage. Far better sticking in a seperate expansion vessel.

 

[armyash]

Could that be causing the leak on the combination valve?

 

[tamz]

Aye but it would run out the tpr valve when it heats too. First thing to check on a megaflow. They need recharging every 3 - 6 months (sometimes longer) and no one ever does it. Also if the pressure reducing valve isn't working properly and the incoming pressure is high it will pass. Very rare for an expansion valve to pass (well it is up this way but we have decent water thats not full of rubbish) as there are no impurities in the water to jamb it open (it should never lift in the first place).

 

[tamz]

BTW. Charge her properly for your time . She won't do you any favours (unless she gives you a bj then you can knock a tenner off :lol🙂 and you will be an expensive bstd whether you charge 20 quid or 200. Friends of friends always rip the pysh

 

[armyash]

Excellent info tonight thanks for all the replies. Plenty to consider. I will order the part anyway (depending on what returns policy is) then check all the other info that has been suggested before I fit it.

 

[Ermintrude]

Aye but it would run out the tpr valve when it heats too. First thing to check on a megaflow. They need recharging every 3 - 6 months (sometimes longer) and no one ever does it. Also if the pressure reducing valve isn't working properly and the incoming pressure is high it will pass. Very rare for an expansion valve to pass (well it is up this way but we have decent water thats not full of rubbish) as there are no impurities in the water to jamb it open (it should never lift in the first place).

Tprv set at 6.5 or 7 ish expansion relief 3 bar?

 

[tamz]

8 bar expansion valve in the pics

 

[Ermintrude]

Sorry on a mega it's 8 and 10! Combo should be set at 3