Cold water tank almost boiling

[Best]

I am not a plumber but had a similar solid fuel system in a previous cottage.

The plumber who installed it said that one rad would effectively always be on and hot regardless of the stat and pump. As I understand it this was to effectively dump heat from the hot water tank when the central heating was off. I think the flow for this was nothing more than convection..

In addition there was an over flow into an expansion tank in the loft similar to what is being described here.

This would have been installed about 30years ago, so I have no idea what the codes of practice were then, but after reading this thread I am glad nothing serious ever happened...

It is a heat leak radiator (to a certain minimum size for the solid fuel boiler MIs) to take some of the excess heat directly from the central heating pipes from boiler - the primaries, which are gravity fed.
It doesn't take the heat from the hot water tank, but from the source of the heat, the fire.
To be honest, if a solid fuel fire is really blazing, hot cylinder roasting and a pump fails, - one heat leak radiator isn't really going to take enough heat away.

 

[Pete E]

It is a heat leak radiator (to a certain minimum size for the solid fuel boiler MIs) to take some of the excess heat directly from the central heating pipes from boiler - the primaries, which are gravity fed.
It doesn't take the heat from the hot water tank, but from the source of the heat, the fire.
To be honest, if a solid fuel fire is really blazing, hot cylinder roasting and a pump fails, - one heat leak radiator isn't really going to take enough heat away.

That sounds about right... as I remember the expansion and cold water tanks up in the loft were plastic as was the over flow piping..

The odd time we had a "boil over" it certainly got your attention quickly; would hate to be in the OP's position and would be following up the good advice already given with a solicitors letter to the HA if they did not act...

 

[king of pipes]

I would most definitely get this addressed the plastic feed and expansion tank does not meet current solid fuel regulations and i am sure your home insurance would not cover you for water damage caused by a failure of your neighbours system contained in your property , regards kop

 

[Ric2013]

I would most definitely get this addressed the plastic feed and expansion tank does not meet current solid fuel regulations and i am sure your home insurance would not cover you for water damage caused by a failure of your neighbours system contained in your property , regards kop

If the insurance policy covers legal action, you'd probably be able to use this, but, agreed, you'd have to sue the neighbour.

 

[PhoenixServices]

Ask I can’t tell from the picture but is that a valve on the vent?

 

[Cat]

Sadly the terrifying saga continues, the housing association were sending out a gas engineer before Christmas, I have seen & heard nothing.
It's worse than ever before this morning, boiling water spilling over & through our ceiling
So I call yet again,get put through to their contact engineers stating the emergency to get a call half an hour later telling me our home is not on their system (ex tennant) I explain it's downstairs heating system that they are tennants & a complaint had been lodged by them also. He tells me he cannot attend!!!!
After further calls to HA they are now sending out their plumber...waiting whilst the tank boils
Am angry at the way this has not been handled.
I have a video of my boiling tank & my attic that is like a sauna filled with steam but it's too large to upload, I'll be making it very public.
Cat

 

[Cat]

Sadly the terrifying saga continues with downstairs heating, their cold water tank is in our attic & is boiling to overflow!!!
The housing association, Scottish Borders Housing Association, were sending out their contract gas engineer (PH Jones) way before Christmas, I have seen & heard nothing.
It's worse than ever before this morning, boiling water spilling over the tank & through our ceiling
So I call yet again,get put through to their contact engineers stating the emergency to get a call half an hour later telling me our home is not on their system (ex tennant) I explain it's downstairs heating system that they are tennants & a complaint had been lodged by them also. He tells me he cannot attend!!!!

After further calls to SBHA they are now sending out their plumber...waiting whilst the tank boils
Having been warned the tank of boiling water could come through our living room ceiling!!!
Am so worried & bloody fuming at the way this has been handled the video of the boiling already warped plastic tank is too big to post but if you have Facebook access I made my post public Catriona Hamilton
I am going to call my house insurance & which one if HETAS,OFTEC or Gas Safe should I get in touch with?
The HA plumber has finally arrived & is extending the overflow pipe? Says the thermostat downstairs is 'knackered' he also said it must have taken some heat to have warped the tank...nae Rubbish Sherlock!!!
Thank you all again for your help & advice.
Cat

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Make sure anyone working on the system is hetas registered (eg solid fuel qualified)

 

[Cat]

I have no idea,he's now gone. He is the HA plumber but not a heating engineer.
He said the HA will sort out downstairs & with any luck they may fit downstairs with a new system...they blooming better!
I am going to contact my house insurance to see what they can advise I may get emergency call out to prevent further damage & maybe legal advice.
I've attached photo of the new pipe extension...what do you think? Tank is well warped!!!
Cat

 

[Ric2013]

HETAS and OFTEC both deal with solid fuel. May also be worth involving your council (environmental health? or housing officer? as ALL rentals need to meet certain standards and the council has a responsibility to police this). Definitely talk to your insurer - do you have legal cover on that?

 

[Cat]

Thanks looked at both to find out about regulation standards etc but see the cover England & Wales....am up in Scotland.
I am the owner (ex HA tenant) oooh environmental health might be a good call the HA housing officer for my area in the repair service woman's words "was a much use as a chocolate fireguard"
I called my insurance they won't cover water damage by neighbours tank but I spoke to their legal advice team they're calling me back Monday.
Just write a letter of complaint to Chief Ex of HA.
My sons' Dad is a tradesman he's contacting a qualified certified heating engineer for me to ask him to come look & advise me, I don't want to get told it's all 'fixed' & safe if it's not.
You guys have been so much help, I've learned....ya think I should take up a new career in plumbing?
Cat

 

[ShaunCorbs]

😀 if you want to but there's a long road ahead

 

[Best]

Extending the copper vent pipe higher will not make any difference whatsoever if the solid fuel boiler is greatly overheating!
Needs the overheat problem fixed.
Only thing the vent being higher does on a primary vent is to prevent the vent putting water out when fire working at normal heat

 

[sammathias]

Make sure anyone working on the system is hetas registered (eg solid fuel qualified)

hetas to work on the plumbing of a solid fuel system....?

 

[Cat]

***RESULT***
Update : at long last I have heard from SBHA, they have chased up the heating engineers,who have called to say replacement metal tank is on order & as soon as it's delivered they'll call to arrange access for work. I'm getting compensated for the water damage to my living room, they will also replace the damaged loft insulation and the postie just delivered the letter from SBHA's chief executive upholding my complaint and what they have done to address a number of issues I raised and she has apologised for the distress caused to my family & myself. There will be a new heating system installed downstairs by the end of March. Woohoo!
Once thank you all for your support & advice.
Cat

 

[Darren Jackson]

Well done Cat, power of the press and some professional advice from this forum = ***RESULT*** sleepless nights for you (bliss)!

 

[sammathias]

I would say your neighbour will still need a high limit stat fitted. Which activates their heating pump to come on if their fire is overheating.

 

[Cat]

HA are going to connect downstairs neighbour to gas & install a gas central heating system
No more tank in our attic
Cat

 

[Cat]

Spot the difference...
Replaced tank until neighbours get new gas heating system installed.
Cat

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Am I missing something where's the connection and vent ? 😀