Multiple problems

[ashhussain]

Hi,

I am new to this forum, and I can just about spell DIY!

I have a couple of probelms with the plumbing in my house that are driving me nuts. Here we go:

1. Hot water coming out of cold water taps, including the kitchen tap (which runs from the mains). It last a few seconds and then we start getting the cold water.

2. The (power) shower takes several seconds (~20) before we get the hot water. We have a pump, and it would normally take a sec or two before the hot water was pumped through.

3. The header tank makes noises throughout the night, and it appears to be filling all night! There are no visible leaks and it never gets to the over-flow level. Where is all this water going? And what is this noise - driving me mad!!!

4. The water gets cold within a couple of hours of boiler going off - with no usage! E.g. hot water on (from boiler) from 8 am to 10 am with NO usage, but by midday we get cold water from the hot taps - mind you, we still get the hot water from the cold taps (mentioned above) for a few secs.

Please help!!

Much obliged.

Ash

 

[justlead1]

Hi Ash. Sound like you might need a demolition forum.
The hot from cold tap may well be heating and plumbing pipework running close to one another and transferring heat. As for the loss of hot water, have you any hot water pipework running to an outside building or a suspended ground floor where a leak may be constantly running water? My first port of call would be the cold water storage cistern (probably in loft) Tie a bit of string around the ball valve arm and secure to to a rafter or something so as to stop water entering the cistern. Have a look at the water level in the morning to determin whether there is a leak some where.
The heat loss could also be pump on C/H over running when not required to (cooling heated water via coil in cylinder) Good Luck

 

[ashhussain]

Thanks for the prompt response.

Some additional information to consder is:

1. We have a sealed system with vented DHW.
2. These problems have arisen in the last 2-3 weeks, even though we have lived at this house for 4 years, and nothinh has changed for over a year.

I shall see tonight if there is leak in the system using the method suggested by your goodself.

Cheers.

ash