Leaking fitting

[mattgriff]

Hi,

I have a small leak on one of the fittings attached to the central heating pipework.

Before I pay for a plumber to come and have a look is there anything I can do myself to try and repair.

It's literally only a few drops of water a day nothing major.

The tank that's rested on the hot water cylinder is a Zilmet 110 ultra pro expansion vessel. Its the connector for this that is leaking where it goes in to the pipework.

Been at the property for a few months and this was how we found it when bought. Looks like it was previously mounted on the wall but for some reason it's been left like this.

Thanks

 

[opps]

I am not a plumber... but I suspect that the washer in the flexi pipe has failed. Possibly over tightened.

I think you need a new flexi pipe, they, the washers, are not designed to be replaceable. The PTFE visible in the photo will not cut the mustard.

 

[oldbuffer]

1. Its not central heating pipework, it for your unvented hot water cylinder.
2. That white expansion vessel should be properly supported. It will be (roughly) half full of water and half full of air, the air being used to compress and take up the expansion of the hot water when it heats. If it fails, and they all do in time, it will become full of water. If it then falls off the cylinder it is likely to rip that flexible hose out of what is your combination valve, leading to a flood.
3. Only those with a current G3 accreditation are allowed to work on those cylinders, by law.
4. I'd suggest you get a G3 qualified engineer to give the whole thing a service, replace the flexible filling hose, and remount the expansion vessel to the wall.

 

[mattgriff]

Thanks for explaining.

I will get a plumber in ASAP.

 

[Madrab]

Can I recommend you isolate the HW cylinder and open a hw tap to relieve the pressure as that flexi and vessel position is a burst just waiting to happen and if it goes it going to cause a whole lot of damage. Get a qualified bod in tomorrow to sort that all out.

 

[mattgriff]

Yeah got somone coming tomorrow to have a look.

I wouldn't know where to start on isolating and relieving the pressure to be honest.
If i done this would it mean no heating or hot water tonight?

 

[Madrab]

No HW no, heating yes.

There should be a means of isolation (stop tap/lever valve etc) on the pipe that runs to that blue topped Pressure reducing valve. It's a 'just in case' as that flexi doesn't look too healthy and if the mains is up to spec then it's carrying over 2.5bar in water pressure.

 

[mattgriff]

This tap the one I'm guessing?

 

[Madrab]

That would be the one, yep. Only consideration I guess would be whatever the cold feed is supplying at the top of that pipe from the white tee fitting.
Honestly, I wouldn't be saying this if I didn't think there was any risk that the flexi was ok. It's kinked, bent and doesn't exit the crimped end of the fitting properly so I wouldn't trust it. It is the case though that it could be fine for years or go anytime soon but I've learned that flexi's aren't worth taking a risk on until it's checked by a qualified bod.

 

[mattgriff]

Thanks for your help.
There is nothing coming in to the tee fitting.
It does look like the white cylinder sat on top of this tee fitting before but that's only a guess.

Who knows what the previous owner done to be honest.

 

[mattgriff]

Plumber been around and said it's fine the way it is. Apparently it happens all the time when it's mounted on the wall and they either fall off or start to give away because of the weight so they rest them on top to stop it happening again.

Not sure what to do now to be honest

He tightened the fitting and said if it leaks again to call back and they will replace the hose.

 

[Madrab]

(Edit spell) BoIIocks, I've fitted many onto plasterboard walls and all it takes is a piece of wood screwed across the batons then the EV's bracket mounts to that. It's so easy and it's painful to see a 'plumber' who just fobs it off like that. It pains me that these guys actually call themselves professionals, I'd get myself another 'plumber' TBH ..... can I ask, did you check his quals?

The EV's are meant to be mounted properly, it's isn't difficult nor rocket science. A little time to find the batons then 4x50mm screws and reasonably thick piece of wood and the bracket.

You're call at the end of the day of course.

 

[mattgriff]

I understand what your saying. Sounds a simple enough job to be honest. Just can't be bothered I expect.

I have boiler cover with British Gas so called them out to have a look. I will give them another call tomorrow to see if they can send somone else out.

 

[mattgriff]

Different plumber come today. Said the white cylinder is full of water and it should be half water and half air.
He going to order a new one and fit it correctly.

Hopefully be sorted soon.

 

[Madrab]

Different plumber come today. Said the white cylinder is full of water and it should be half water and half air.
He going to order a new one and fit it correctly.

Hopefully be sorted soon.

Yeah but did he depressurise the system and then try and inflate the vessel? I actually had to do that to mine today.