J-Man

Hello Everyone,
New member here searching for some help!!!

Currently out of work so money is an issue, which is why I'm trying to see if I can do the work myself. I have no plumbing knowledge, but I'm very practical and can tackle most problem - providing I have the background knowlede!

I live in a victorian terrace two story house. On the ground floor in the kitchen I have an old gas boiler that does the heating and hot water. On the floor above, in the airing cupboard there is a hot water storage tank ( no immersion element ), and next to that is the pump and diverter valve. Directly above in the attic is a small tank with ballcock. In an adjoining attic is a large cold-water tank.

My reasonably old heating system is in need of some care. The problem being that the pump is making a consistent ( and slowly getting worse ) clattering sound, which I've been told is the bearing. So I am thinking to replace the pump, and while I'm at it also the old Diverter valve.

Details:

The pump is a: Grundfos,
Type UPS
15-50x18
50Hz
Mk II.

The diverter valve is: Honeywell
Sundial Y Plan
3 Position Diverter Valve


So first question, what shouls I replace them with? Ie. newer better more efficient models??

Second question. The cutoff valves above and below the pump look truely siezed - they are the ones operated by screwdriver. If this is the case, does that mean I'll need to drain the whole system? How does one do that, and as importantly, how do you fill it up again ( ie no airlocks etc, )? Or am missing a trick here, such as freezing the water ( seems a large dia pipe to do this ).

All advice gratefully received!!

uug197h

before you start replacing parts how old is the boiler & has it been serviced regular, i know you are out of work and have no money but you still may be better changing the boiler to a combi if your old one has not been serviced regular it mat cost more in the long run just changing parts

Plumbing Forum Moderator

J-Man

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Quite frankly I can't afford to change it - I've been here 4 years, and not been serviced in that time. Come a new job, and I'll change it. I've been quoted £500 pounds to change the pump, D/valve and to flush the system.

So I'm thinking if I can cack how to do it, I'll be spending £100 on parts only .

wezzer

£500 for all work mentioned seems reasonable. You would pay £100 or so for pump and diverter valve, you will need to drain heating system down, pump isolating valves tend to leak as soon as you operate screw slots if they have not been used for years. Expect to pay a plumber around £250 for parts and labour excluding powerflush.

fuzzy

try some inhibitor, can soften the noise of the pump in some cases

J-Man

Could you elaborate - what is inhibitor, and how do you use it/put it into your system?

cheers

ajs heating

no matter what you put in the system if the pump bearing is worn it needs changing.
whats wrong with the diverter valve ?
if its operating fully why change it ?
i would say you have a mid position valve not a diverter, make sure you check the number on the end casing first, as they both work different ways.
inhibitor is a water treatment for your system. inhibitor will not be affective on its own, you will be best to run a cleaner through the system first then drain/refill and then add inhibitor.

check out the fernox or sentinel sites they will advise you on the chemicals you need.

apart from your pump do all your rads get fully hot, system switch on/off when required ?
check your small f/e tank in loft what is the condition of the water in that is it full of sludge etc ?