Newly installed combi losing pressure

[hedylaura]

We just spent £3k+ upgrading our old open-vented system boiler system to a new combi condenser boiler (Viessmann 30kw) system which worked less than a week before the pressure dropped to 0 resulting in no hot water or heating. The plumber came and topped up the system saying it was "just one of those things" that happens occasionally for no discernable reason. So I duly paid him for his work. Then a few days later it happened again.

Now the plumber is saying ("in his opinion") that we have a leak in the pipework on the ground floor. He reasoned this because one of the radiators on the top (first) floor had completey drained, and had it been a leak on the top floor there would be signs of it on the ceiling. He topped it up again as a temporary measure so we were able to have hot showers on our return from a trip to Oz, but by the time we got back (less that 24hrs later) it had dropped to zero again.

He is suggesting re-piping the entire ground floor, which will ruin our flooring.

I can't see any evidence of a leak, and we had the place checked for damp not so long ago and this did not flag up any problems in the areas where we have pipework.

So my questions are - is he right? And are there any other ways to determine if/where there is a leak without going to the extreme lengths of ripping up flooring? Is it possible that the plumber caused the leak by over-pressurising the system?

And more importantly - am I liable for the additional costs that this will incur? In my view he hasn't finished the job he set out to do - we did not just buy a boiler off him, we bought hot water and heating. Both of which have been supplied for no more that a week in total since the installation 1 month ago.

Thanks for your help!

Hedy

 

[P4ULT]

four.

and none of them told you that increased pressure=potential leak

 

[Destroyer2813]

Not without knowing were the pipework is which is doubtfull considering its concrete as mentioned are all the downstarirs floors concrete?

 

[PlumbersMate]

do you have a rad or towel rad in your bathroom?

 

[hedylaura]

do you have a rad or towel rad in your bathroom?

Just a standard rad.

 

[hedylaura]

Not without knowing were the pipework is which is doubtfull considering its concrete as mentioned are all the downstarirs floors concrete?

No, just the bathroom. But thinking about it possibly the kitchen as well... The main building (the bathroom and kitchen are on an extension) is Victorian and somewhat higher than the extension. I'm crossing my fingers that there's enough space here to get under the floorboards.

 

[Destroyer2813]

You have a resanable chance done a few extensions round there and some you can get under but then others not

 

[Howsie]

St Albans and the guy lives around the corner from me, though I found him via google.

Well lets hope he puts it right and your happy with the outcome/cost.

 

[Plumbsy]

The plumber could isolate the downstairs pipework then carryout a hydraulic pressure test which will hold a test pressure on the system and any leaks would be seen by a pressure drop on the guage. This would be quicker than just leaving it on the system for a week.

When my heating system was installed it took a few top ups as the system stabilised over few weeks. It is now fine.

Do you have thermostatic radiator valves on all your rads? If you have and they all shut down, and there is no bypass in the system, the boiler can overheat and will dump the pressure out the relief valve.

I am sure he would have checked that though.

Good luck

 

[davebigpipes]

You can find out if its leaking on the flow or return by shuting off one valve on one side of boiler and all rad valves pressure it up and see if it drops then if not do same for other valve on bottom of boiler.

 

[hedylaura]

The plumber could isolate the downstairs pipework then carryout a hydraulic pressure test which will hold a test pressure on the system and any leaks would be seen by a pressure drop on the guage. This would be quicker than just leaving it on the system for a week.

When my heating system was installed it took a few top ups as the system stabilised over few weeks. It is now fine.

Do you have thermostatic radiator valves on all your rads? If you have and they all shut down, and there is no bypass in the system, the boiler can overheat and will dump the pressure out the relief valve.

I am sure he would have checked that though.

Good luck

Thanks very much. I will see if anyone in the area will be able to do that for me. Yes we do have TRVs, but considering that one of our rads on the top floor drained empty during the last pressure loss, a leak seems the most likely cause.

 

[davebigpipes]

What I said only works if its integral filling loop actually

 

[LeakFinder's]

It appears the system has been upgraded> The installer cannot be held responsible for underlying issue. I get this situation all the time when systems go from open to closed. I would suggest that you Google water leak detection and get someone to trace the leak. The re-piping is a load crap sounds more like trying to make a bit more work for himself. I would also suggest contacting your house insurance as most will cover this type of service and any resulting damage caused getting to the fault.

 

[LeakFinder's]

It appears the system has been upgraded&gt; The installer cannot be held responsible for underlying issue. I get this situation all the time when systems go from open to closed. I would suggest that you&nbsp;Google&nbsp;water leak detection and get&nbsp;someone&nbsp;to trace the leak. The&nbsp;re-piping&nbsp;is a load crap sounds more like trying to make a bit more work for himself. I would also suggest contacting your house insurance as most will cover this type of service and any resulting damage caused getting to the fault. <br><br><br>

 

[Hybrid]

I was reading those 7 pages before this and was wondering why no-one mentioned a pressure test until plumbsy's post. If i'm upgrading from ov to sealed I always describe the dangers and offer to do a test at quote stage for £50, refundable if I get the job.

 

[SimonG]

I was reading those 7 pages before this and was wondering why no-one mentioned a pressure test until plumbsy's post. If i'm upgrading from ov to sealed I always describe the dangers and offer to do a test at quote stage for £50, refundable if I get the job.

Good idea, never even considered that previously. I always go with the statement on the estimate about not gauranteeing existing pipework.