Has my builder ruined my boiler?

[Riley]

In fairness he should’ve zoned the water as well as you should have temp control over that too

 

[windle poones]

If I accept what you are saying and I bow to your superior knowledge. I don't need to call the builder back. I just need a competent Gas Safe plumber to investigate and fix the problem? Know any good and qualified trustworthy central heating engineers in the North West London area?

 

[Sharp Point]

I’m not 100%, but doesn’t the divertor on those house a check valve? If so having the zone valves installed and shut, would lock it up

 

[Riley]

But not if the hot water is unzoned it would go round the coil and back to the primary return then it could back fill

 

[Riley]

Ugh it’s a combi isn’t it. Sorry you didn’t make that clear

 

[windle poones]

Yup it is a combi boiler. No water tank heating coil.

 

[Riley]

They should really have a) piped in a bypass and b) piped the filling loop to the return side as this would alleviate the filling issue slightly. To be fair when properly filling you should manually lock open the zone valves anyway using the levers on them. The filling loop isn’t really a problem as you can do the levers. The bypass is. I’m calling builder or non qualified/educated install

 

[windle poones]

I am not 100% sure on what you are suggesting, but I think you are advising that the Potterton Puma 80 boiler (Combination boiler) as installed in my system. Was probably OK before the central heating side, (Pipe and radiator side) was modified. I therefore need to call the builder back to address the issue which appears to be caused by no effective by pass fitted when the pipe work was modified?

 

[Riley]

Don’t call a builder. Builders build plumbers plumb. They have the right idea in so much as the house sounds like it should be zoned but a bypass will deal with heat once the heating requirement is satisfied

 

[Riley]

As per MIs

 

[Millsy 82]

So I maintain there is literally no reason why it shouldn’t go up as well as down to the two motorised valves

The filling loop is on the flow. On that boiler the diverter valve opens when the diverter valve gets up to a certain temperature causing it to open.

I will remain with what I said before get them back as if its firing when both valves are shut it will be a simple wiring fault. Also ask them to put a bypass on it as I said in my last post.

 

[windle poones]

Thanks Riley, the only problem I now have is, the extension build is new and I have not signed off on the builder's snagging list. So a small final payment is due. I don't know whether I should trust him to put it right or to call in a known good plumber to rectify his work. 😵

 

[Riley]

Were it me I would insist on a proper plumber and tell him you’ll be knocking the difference off his bill. He may, fairly, insist on being given the chance to put it right. What has been done is 90% right in terms of building regs but it’s Your call really.
Two questions:
Who rebuilt such an old boiler?
Do you have a thermostat in each zone?

 

[Burger]

Any of the flow and return isolation valves closed under the boiler?

 

[Riley]

No I think it’s as Bogrodder said there’s a non return on the diverter

 

[windle poones]

In answer to your two questions:
1. It was rebuilt by a tech specialist from the company that now owns Potterton. I had an expensive maintenance contract with British gas. During one of their service visits their engineer bodged and damaged the boiler. I refused to accept a new Worcester Boch as a replacement. The rebuild was paid for by British gas after a long running dispute where they finally admitted liability.

2. Each zone is controlled by separately wired "Floureon heating thermostats". They are highly accurate I have tested them with an infra red sensing meter.

 

[Riley]

I’m gobsmacked they rebuilt the boiler but fine and glad you have stats

 

[Millsy 82]

I’m gobsmacked they rebuilt the boiler but fine and glad you have stats

I'm gobsmacked he refused a new boiler.

 

[windle poones]

Hi Millsy,

My reasoning was. The existing boiler was the most reliable I have ever owned. It had given me 25 years’ service at the point when it was bodged. It had always been maintained to a good standard. I have always been fan of the old saying “If it aint broke don’t fix or replace it”.

In another home I had a boiler new in 1964, by Valliant. It was still working fine when I sold the home in 2003. Both boilers were always properly maintained.

I had considered the Worcester Boch, but had heard they were only slightly more efficient and could be troublesome unless I was replacing the entire system, pipes and rads. My own research led me to believe I would be lucky to get seven years from one - WB.

 

[Riley]

I’d imagine efficiency wise you are far worse off but I do agree with your adage re if it ain’t broke. Plus I’d imagine parts will be scarce for the puma in the next few years. Did you not also say you’d had new pipework etc?