Potterton Combi Boiler Frequent Pressure Loss in Winter only

[LouMoo]

Hi,

My Potterton Heatmax Boiler is nearly 10 years old, but has been serviced regularly and the Pressure Release Valve was recently replaced. It frequently loses pressure throughout Winter, when the heating is in use. During Summer months, it's fine! All radiators are all heating up to HOT and there are no apparent leaks.

Any ideas what could be causing the pressure loss? Looking for resolution suggestions before replacing the boiler, as I'm reluctant to spend all that money when the underlying problem may not be fixed .

The rads are from the 80s and pipework was installed then. Not sure if that makes any difference.

Grateful for any advice you can offer.

Cheers
Lou

 

[Riley]

But in the first instance you need a gas safe engineer to check one other very important part of the boiler which deals with the water as it heats. This normally works in tandem with the PRV and should really have been tested when the PRV was tested. Can’t tell you what it is as it’s in the boiler and we can’t give info leading people to boiler repairs bit any decent engineer will know what to look for

 

[Harvest Fields]

Free advertising your own products so often isn’t allowed Rob. Unless you become a forum sponsor. @Lou

 

[Ben-gee]

I don’t think you can call the top up mate a solution to this problem. It just tops up the system without addressing the problem, which can’t be a good idea.

 

[Riley]

No I think this has been said on a couple of occasions

 

[Harvest Fields]

I don’t think you can call the top up mate a solution to this problem. It just tops up the system without addressing the problem, which can’t be a good idea.

It isn’t mate.

 

[Rob Foster]

Free advertising your own products so often isn’t allowed Rob. Unless you become a forum sponsor. @Lou

Ok Lou, no problem its fine, we have sold the 3rd production run of 1000, next one due week after next to meet pre orders I will be in touch re advertising
regards Rob Foster aka centralheatking

 

[Ben-gee]

If you’re selling them well done, don’t see the point myself but each to their own.

 

[Harvest Fields]

ok ...small leaks on a pressurised system cause it to go down eventually. TUM will keep,the system operating overnight or until an engineer can return. essential for vulnerable people with no risk of flooding. the ratio is 1x or 2x Tum to every van, so eg .my client today has pre ordered 200 as they have 150 vans out looking after 9,000 houses of which 63% have pressure drop problems ...maybe its not for you but thats the rationale and it works....centralheatking

Your post makes no sense. Let’s fit something that automatically fills a system rather than find the leak.

 

[Rob Foster]

Your post makes no sense. Let’s fit something that automatically fills a system rather than find the leak.

at 11.00 pm on a cold night with vulnerable folk at risk
return next day. when the leak is an intermittent less than 1 ltr a week problem ..this is what the is designed for and the initial take up is beyond market expectations already ...there is a 2o year contract in place
anyway ...there are 3 more devices coming on soon

 

[Harvest Fields]

at 11.00 pm on a cold night with vulnerable folk at risk
return next day. when the leak is an intermittent less than 1 ltr a week problem ..this is what the is designed for and the initial take up is beyond market expectations already ...there is a 2o year contract in place
anyway ...there are 3 more devices coming on soon

Good luck with that. I’m out. I’m bored of seeing the blooming thing.

 

[garygvl]

at 11.00 pm on a cold night with vulnerable folk at risk
return next day. when the leak is an intermittent less than 1 ltr a week problem ..this is what the is designed for and the initial take up is beyond market expectations already ...there is a 2o year contract in place
anyway ...there are 3 more devices coming on soon

the issue here rob is that no matter what terms and conditions you write on the box some people will fit them as a permanent repair. been out to systems where installer had just left filling loop open with a 1 bar regulator fitted so it didnt over pressurise. hadnt solved the problem just masked it. when you turn up after 2 years of fresh water being continually being put into system and find inhibitor level is zero and boiler heat exch, pump and motorised valves are mullered, not to mention rads are going to pinhole due to corrosion, what do you do tell customer your whole system needs replacing. not good

 

[Rob Foster]

the issue here rob is that no matter what terms and conditions you write on the box some people will fit them as a permanent repair. been out to systems where installer had just left filling loop open with a 1 bar regulator fitted so it didnt over pressurise. hadnt solved the problem just masked it. when you turn up after 2 years of fresh water being continually being put into system and find inhibitor level is zero and boiler heat exch, pump and motorised valves are mullered, not to mention rads are going to pinhole due to corrosion, what do you do tell customer your whole system needs replacing. not good

The market is managed properties which are in the managing agents radar ...we know ..thank you for your input

 

[Rob Foster]

the issue here rob is that no matter what terms and conditions you write on the box some people will fit them as a permanent repair. been out to systems where installer had just left filling loop open with a 1 bar regulator fitted so it didnt over pressurise. hadnt solved the problem just masked it. when you turn up after 2 years of fresh water being continually being put into system and find inhibitor level is zero and boiler heat exch, pump and motorised valves are mullered, not to mention rads are going to pinhole due to corrosion, what do you do tell customer your whole system needs replacing. not good

Every let property must have the gas system checked each year anyway

 

[Harvest Fields]

The market is managed properties which are in the managing agents radar ...we know ..thank you for your input

Every let property must have the gas system checked each year anyway

So what’s your point here mate? That because a LGSC is completed annually you could leave the filling loop partially open?

 

[Rob Foster]

So what’s your point here mate? That because a LGSC is completed annually you could leave the filling loop partially open?

not at all...Tum is a temporary patch which is expected to be installed for 24/36 hours during times of stress to keep
homes warm ..thats all
centralheatking

 

[Harvest Fields]

Yet again another separate product to advertise ??

 

[garygvl]

Every let property must have the gas system checked each year anyway

and your point being

 

[garygvl]

and if 63% installs have got pressure problems shouldnt they be looking seriously at that issue

 

[Harvest Fields]

and if 63% installs have got pressure problems shouldnt they be looking seriously at that issue

That what I was saying earlier mate. Hold on let’s mask the issue rather than find it. Not sure that a small sole trader or family run business would fit one.

 

[garygvl]

That what I was saying earlier mate. Hold on let’s mask the issue rather than find it. Not sure that a small sole trader or family run business would fit one.

the vast majority wouldnt but some would to get themselves out of a hole hoping the problem would go away

 

[Harvest Fields]

the vast majority wouldnt but some would to get themselves out of a hole hoping the problem would go away

That isn’t someone that I would want working anywhere near my boiler/system mate.

 

[Rob Foster]

That isn’t someone that I would want working anywhere near my boiler/system mate.

Anyway my great friend a gas fitter whom I have worked with
for years is basically terminal and because he never married or had kids ...its now down to me and angela to sort it all out..his dogs old mother etc
the list of problems is endless
..so I am out 4 a while
centralheatking

 

[LouMoo]

But in the first instance you need a gas safe engineer to check one other very important part of the boiler which deals with the water as it heats. This normally works in tandem with the PRV and should really have been tested when the PRV was tested. Can’t tell you what it is as it’s in the boiler and we can’t give info leading people to boiler repairs bit any decent engineer will know what to look for

Cheers Riley. I've had differing advice from each highly recommended engineer I've spoken to. The boiler was fully tested and serviced in October, but it's still happening. I'm at my wits (& wallets) end trying to figure out what to do next.

 

[Riley]

If you’re struggling I’d suggest you contact the manufacturer. Most offer a fixed price repair that will include all but the most expensive parts

 

[Rob Foster]

Cheers Riley. I've had differing advice from each highly recommended engineer I've spoken to. The boiler was fully tested and serviced in October, but it's still happening. I'm at my wits (& wallets) end trying to figure out what to do next.

I cannot see if you have established if its the boiler or the heating system...treat as two sep. items ...others will explain how to do this I hope as I am busy with Jimbo
Rob Foster....centralheatking