Unvented cyclinder fault

c101 · Dec 22, 2014

Hi

I have large cylinder for hot water which I believe is unvented an need fixing by someone G3 qualified?

The problem is that there are water drops every 20 seconds form the pressure relief valve approximately every 20-30 seconds.

These drops increase to every 10 seconds when the boiler starts heating the water and the pressure builds.

From looking on the internet it appears that either the valve or the expansion tank is faulty and will need fixing.

I have cover for plumbing and heating by a company but they reckon that it is not a dangerous fault and so can only do it on 5th January.

I however am concerned as the drops go to a pipe below and nowhere else and so eventually this pipe will fill and future drops will go onto the floor.

I also suspect that it could get worse and the drops more often making the problem worse?

Can anyone put my mind at rest, will it be safe as it is until 2 weeks from today, if not what options do I have?

Thanks in advance
Colin

stevetheplumber · Dec 22, 2014

the pipe below the tundish should run to somewhere safe so not a problem if i had insurance i would tell them its coming over the top intermitently and damaging the floor

wildcard · Dec 22, 2014

I would want them out within a couple of days which is reasonable time to wait this time of year.If that suddenly goes over xmas your stuffed as all the suppliers are closed.

jase158 · Dec 22, 2014

Oh and it should all be turned off for your safety!! Call them back, say you read the installation manual!! It has told you to turn it off! You now have no heating or hot water and it is an emergency!!

c101 · Dec 22, 2014

Thanks for all your input, they are now coming out a week today which better than two weeks they initially said. Main concern was going up like on Mythbusters but from stevetheplumber this is not really a problem so just have to hobble on for a time.

Only thing I have to watch is that after going through an open inspection hole it falls into a copper pipe that appears to only go to the pipework below it and not particularly outside like I would have expected so I will have to ensure that the drips do not fill that (altough I suppose if they do I can genuinely tell them it is coming over the top and get onto "priority")

chris watkins · Dec 22, 2014

C101, The name of your cylinder is not Megaflo is it ??

kris · Dec 22, 2014

Customers can re pressurise the cylinder if it's a megaflow. Usually a sticker on the tank explaining how to De and re pressurise. If not then stick to engineer having a look. But if megafow then you don't need to be g3 to do this little service as common . If no sticker then look at manufacturer guidelines.