How to find a leak -low pressure boiler

[emma williams]

Hi we had a new boiler fitted about 6 months ago and over the past 2 weeks the boiler pressure has dropped to 0 at least 4 times. It only seems to happen during the night when the boiler has been off as we keep waking up and noticing that the boiler is off due to no pressure. It doesn't happen during the day. Our old boiler occasionally did this but not to this extent. I am assuming we have a leaky pipe given that the boiler is quite new and otherwise working very well.

My question is how on earth do we find the leak? There are no signs of water damage anywhere so I just don't know where to start.

I'm just a normal homeowner, have no plumbing knowledge at all. Any tips really gratefully recieved

Cheers

Emma

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Check the tops of radiators at the blanking plug and bleed vent, and also at the valves. What boiler was fitted and how many radiators do you have? Check the safety discharge pipe outside (the copper pipe), there shouldn’t be any water dripping, but not unheard of.

 

[emma williams]

Check the tops of radiators at the blanking plug and bleed vent, and also at the valves. What boiler was fitted and how many radiators do you have? Check the safety discharge pipe outside (the copper pipe), there shouldn’t be any water dripping, but not unheard of.

Thank. Checked the radiators and no signs of leaks. It's a worcester greenstar 8000 lite. There is a condenser pipe which has a tiny drip on it but I assumed it wasn't that causing the low pressure because isn't it the job of the condenser pipe to remove the water outside.

We noticed that its only first thing in the morning that the boiler has no pressure after the boiler has been off all night.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Yes the condensate pipe is for condensate discharge. You’ll have a copper pipe as well, this terminates (usually) outside, check this for water dripping. Make sure the filling loop isn’t open. If all this is good then you either have an expansion issue or a concealed leak.

 

[hometech]

Does it drop every day?
Does it only drop when its switched off at night?
When you re-fill it, how long does it take to achieve correct pressure?

 

[hometech]

I'd also be putting pressure on the installer to sort this. If it is faulty work then its down to him and you also want additional compensation for the breach of contract. If its a boiler part issue then its covered by 12 year warranty.

If you paid the installer to supply the boiler then it is entirely down to them for the time being.

Set them a time limit to resolve the problem (you need to put this in writing) and decide on a time frame by which they must resolve to your satisfaction. Make certain you give simple details so there can be no room for interpretation. i.e. the issue will be resolved when the boiler has not needed repressurised for x weeks.

Your initial contract should have stated the terms but I'm guessing you don't have one so it now becomes assumed under law.

If after the given deadline it is still not resolved, appoint another plumber to resolve the problem and then make sure you get into court asap if they are a Ltd company. It will only cost you £50 for the online Northampton court.

 

[emma williams]

Does it drop every day?
Does it only drop when its switched off at night?
When you re-fill it, how long does it take to achieve correct pressure?

No its only done it about 4 times in 2 weeks and it's always when we get up in the morning we notice its gone down to 0 (the boiler is off overnight). We fill it up and its back to the correct pressure straight away.

 

[Deleted member 120897]

I'd also be putting pressure on the installer to sort this. If it is faulty work then its down to him and you also want additional compensation for the breach of contract.

It certainly would help if she asks the installer back, but if they have only installed a boiler, then it might not be their fault.

 

[emma williams]

It certainly would help if she asks the installer back, but if they have only installed a boiler, then it might not be their fault.

Yeah they only installed the boiler, I don't think its a problem with their work. I think it's just a case of having an.old house with old pipes. Problem is I have no clue how to find the leak

 

[Deleted member 120897]

Only a few ways to find it really:

• Keep pressurising boiler, until it shows
• Take up floorboards/inspect any other pipe work to locate
• Use a thermal imaging camera, this may assist you finding the leak

 

[hometech]

No its only done it about 4 times in 2 weeks and it's always when we get up in the morning we notice its gone down to 0 (the boiler is off overnight). We fill it up and its back to the correct pressure straight away.

You don't have a leak, you have a situation where air is still being purged. It will settle down...eventually