Megaflo pressure reducing valve

[armyash]

Hi everyone,

Was called to a megaflo last night, no water coming from any taps. Followed the recharge instructions but made no difference. I heard gurgling but no discharge appeared and the gurgling stopped after approx 3 minutes.

I spoke to heatrae sadia who recommended new pressure reducing/inlet valve.

Has anyone fitted a non heatrae sadia one before and is that OK?
Obviously heatrae sadia says it has to be their own but they would say that. Does it really make any difference if I was to order one that is a lot cheaper?

Thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Fine aslong as they don't care any more about the warranty

 

[townfanjon]

Personally I always replace like for like, dont buy the prv etc direct , there’s plenty places you can buy them . Just post a pic if you can I may have one .

 

[Welder]

What matters are the ratings to maintain safe operation. Many are no longer avail so how else can one proceed?
So long as all pressures, temps & discharge flow rates are replicated or exceeded then it's fine. Buying stuff from likes of altecnic (?) is perfectly acceptable - and cheaper.
Been replacing with alternatives for many years and never once any probs.

 

[armyash]

I would normally replace like for like to cover myself if nothing else.

Its a rental property and landlord has asked for cheapest possible, not bothered about warranty.

Its just the pressure reducing valve with the isolator I want if anyone can recommend where I can order from please.

Pictures below.

View attachment DSC_2619.JPG

View attachment DSC_2618.JPG

View attachment DSC_2620.JPG

 

[Welder]

First, any 22MM PRV & full bore lever valve will fit. Youll just have to put a piece off 22mm tween em.

Of more concern to me is way pressure relief valve is piped. Its not in any way kosher. The tundish needs lowering ( i think but cant quite see) so the pressure relief discharges correctly.

Remember its your name, your insurance.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Hope you noticed the faults phone advanced water up they will have something for you in stock

 

[townfanjon]

Pathetic discharge pipe , but landlord wont be bothered .
They way thats done , I would put a good quality 3 bar prv , it’s obviously not a multi bloc so that helps you , the check valve is in the housing with the “running up hill “expansion valve lol . So the prv is on its own and easy to swap .

 

[chris watkins]

Almost certainly it will not be the PRV itself, have you checked the filter on the inlet to it to see if it is blocked ??
Are you a pro? because the additional cost to correct the faults would be small & how would the Landlord know what the whole job would cost?

 

[chris watkins]

If no water is coming out at all it will be the plastic white cap off the end of the PRV, it will be lodged it the check valve on the relief safety valve tee.
Turn off & take out the section of pipe between the two, bet you fit it wedged in there & blocking the flow.

 

[chris watkins]

Like for like replacements only for me, if there are not available then use approved replacements from approved suppliers £58 deliver if you have to buy a new PRV & isolation.

 

[Welder]

Each to their own Chris 🙂

BBA approval is only pertinent for initial sale.
So long as replacements do not materially alter performance it's insured.

 

[armyash]

Thanks.

I did notice the faults.

I was there to see why they had no hot water, I haven't met the landlord yet. Communication has been by text. I am sending them a price tonight and will also make them aware of any faults and price to repair.

Picture of Tundish below for those interested.

View attachment DSC_2613.JPG

 

[armyash]

Almost certainly it will not be the PRV itself, have you checked the filter on the inlet to it to see if it is blocked ??
Are you a pro? because the additional cost to correct the faults would be small & how would the Landlord know what the whole job would cost?

I will be offering to put right. Thanks

 

[armyash]

I will also be stating there may be additional faults that I'm not aware of yet.

 

[townfanjon]

I will be offering to put right. Thanks

I guarantee he will roll his eyes and say just have hot water coming out of the taps .

 

[armyash]

I guarantee he will roll his eyes and say just have hot water coming out of the taps .

I agree.

 

[armyash]

I'm going to fit one of these with a lever valve, thats OK isn't it? Can redo the prv at the same time.

It means I can pick up tomorrow and get the water sorted before the weekend.

 

[armyash]

Should have attached this to my previous post.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yep

 

[armyash]

Yep

Thanks for the replies ShaunCorbs.

And everyone else.

 

[townfanjon]

Should have attached this to my previous post.

View attachment 34464

No defo not IMO , thats a complete ICS , you just need a quality pressure reducing valve .

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No defo not IMO , thats a complete ICS , you just need a quality pressure reducing valve .

you had some bad luck with them?

 

[townfanjon]

you had some bad luck with them?

No not at all , I have a garage full lol , to keep the mega flow to spec Ash just needs a prv, he can use existing ex valve , check valve , etc etc

 

[armyash]

Thanks townfanjon, Im waiting on a reply from the landlord, I will update either way. Thanks

 

[townfanjon]

Ash , go to unventedcomponents.com .look at
PRED330001 , i think its the same prv.

As mentioned above , I would check for any blockages etc , check valve stuck etc etc before buying one, tell landlord there may have to be 2 visits , you arent a miracle worker

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Ash , go to unventedcomponents.com .look at
PRED330001 , i think its the same prv.

As mentioned above , I would check for any blockages etc , check valve stuck etc etc before buying one, tell landlord there may have to be 2 visits , you arent a miracle worker

yea buts thats £75 you can get the above for around the 40 mark

 

[armyash]

Thanks for the advice townfanjon. I will use them in the future but if the landlord goes for it I will get the one I posted about just so I can get it sorted in time for the weekend.

 

[townfanjon]

Pretty sure megaflow ex valve is set to 8 bar the calefi one in the pic is 5 bar ( by memory) .

 

[chris watkins]

Ash if it is not too far away from you go back & remove the section of pipe you will find the small white cap blocking the pipe we have had a few of these. You do not need to replace the PRV but may be you can alter the pipework so it is how Part G & the MI's say it should be installed & not likely to be much difference in the cost (you shouldn't even need to drain the cylinder as the check valve will hold the water from coming back).

 

[armyash]

Ash if it is not too far away from you go back & remove the section of pipe you will find the small white cap blocking the pipe we have had a few of these. You do not need to replace the PRV but may be you can alter the pipework so it is how Part G & the MI's say it should be installed & not likely to be much difference in the cost (you shouldn't even need to drain the cylinder as the check valve will hold the water from coming back.

Thanks, I'll go armed with a new valve anyway. I'll check for blockages and if that's all it is I'll adjust the price accordingly. I would have done this when I first went but I haven't met the landlord and had no guarantee I'd be paid. I've sent a price and asked for 50% to be paid first.

 

[Welder]

Town. Fact is the filter on the pressure reducing valve will be solid with crap as its obvs never been touched so an all in one like that would simply save time and get it done first visit. What Ash then charges is up to him 😉

As I mentioned earlier, and completely agree with you, the PRV after MUST have the same value or less (but that can cause probs) NEVER ever higher.

 

[armyash]

Been tonight the filter was chocka with muck. It was solid I couldn't clean it up.

Put a new pressure reducing valve and lever valve on but the megaflo still won't fill. It will drain but won't fill. When I open the lever valve it will make a clunk as if its blocked but won't fill or let me recharge.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

do you have water at the lever valve?

 

[chris watkins]

You can undo the black head from those PRVs to access the filter Ash.
What is the muck like? if it has come that far up the mains supply the likely hood is it is up against a stop valve or something else. Just got to work your way back along the line to see were you have water.

 

[armyash]

I have water coming through the lever valve.

Filter all clear. But it's as though it's not.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

water through the prv?

 

[chris watkins]

Did you remove the Megaflo relief tee?

 

[armyash]

water through the prv?

No water through prv.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

No water through prv.

faulty prv then

 

[chris watkins]

Buy cheap & thats what you get😀
I doubt PRV is it, can you post a photo Ash

 

[armyash]

Sorry yes water through pressure reducing valve.

 

[armyash]

These are the pictures I have.

I'm going back tomorrow.

View attachment DSC_2619.JPG

View attachment DSC_2615.JPG

View attachment DSC_2616.JPG

 

[chris watkins]

Was the white cap on the end of the Megaflo PRV missing ?

 

[chris watkins]

I thought you replaced the valve set ?

 

[armyash]

Yes I have replaced the valve.

I have fitted a pressure reducing valve and a lever valve.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I'm guessing it's the old pics he didn't take any new ones

 

[chris watkins]

Did you remove the fitting circled in yellow as well as the PRV?

View attachment DSC_2619.JPG

 

[armyash]

I'm guessing it's the old pics he didn't take any new ones

Yes that's old pics, didn't take new ones.

I'm back there tonight.

 

[armyash]

Did you remove the fitting circled in yellow as well as the PRV?

View attachment 34508

No but I will tonight. Could that be stopping it fill?

 

[chris watkins]

As previously suggested, you needed to remove the pipe in-between the fitting circled & the PRV, stuck in the inlet of the check valve you will most likely find the half white sphere which is the end cap from the bottom of the PRV (see my photo with the arrow pointing at it). remove it & water will flow.
I have see a few cases of this, it is not happening to all but enough to see they are not fixing them in properly.

P.S. with the new valve set you have installed, I would say the old expansion relief tee needs to be removed & the safety valve on the Caleffi set piped in correctly to the waste which will mean draining the cylinder, whereas if you had just gone like of like on the PRV you wouldn't have had to.
Sometime cheapest works out more expensive!

Please let us know how you get on Ash.

 

[armyash]

As previously suggested, you needed to remove the pipe in-between the fitting circled & the PRV, stuck in the inlet of the check valve you will most likely find the half white sphere which is the end cap from the bottom of the PRV (see my photo with the arrow pointing at it). remove it & water will flow.
I have see a few cases of this, it is not happening to all but enough to see they are not fixing them in properly.

P.S. with the new valve set you have installed, I would say the old expansion relief tee needs to be removed & the safety valve on the Caleffi set piped in correctly to the waste which will mean draining the cylinder, whereas if you had just gone like of like on the PRV you wouldn't have had to.
Sometime cheapest works out more expensive!

Please let us know how you get on Ash.

I realise the pressure relief is discharging incorrectly. Is it at the pressure relief valve you are saying I should expect to find the restriction?

 

[chris watkins]

I realise the pressure relief is discharging incorrectly. Is it at the pressure relief valve you are saying I should expect to find the restriction?

yes, undo the inlet connect & check for the cap in the end of the check valve which you can see.

 

[armyash]

Thank you

 

[armyash]

Well I know what to check next time.



Thanks for all the replies.

Turns out I was the second plumber to have a look, customer very happy (believe it or not). Also repaired a leaking radiator and sorted another radiator that wasnt getting hot. And got a £5 tip.

Back at another property of theirs next Tuesday to have a look at a 1 year old combi that needs pressure topping up 2-3 times a week.

I've had to renew a few combi valves before, and have replaced like for like. First time I have come across this white cap being an issue so thanks to Chris Watkins for pointing that out.

The job was local to me, so even though I had to go back it didn't cost me too much other than a little bit of time.

View attachment DSC_2667.JPG

 

[chris watkins]

Nice one Ash,
See sometimes it pays to listen to your uncle Chris😉 not often I know but just occasionally.
The main thing is you just need to be methodical with these things, as they are all on compression joints it is just a case of cracking them to see how far the water is going long the system.

 

[armyash]

With hindsight it's simple and something I should have checked, I don't work on unvented a lot and I think that's part of the reason I didn't go in to the job with a lot of confidence.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate it.

And thanks for all the other replies from everyone else also.