First post after a lot of browsing and hoping for some insight into an on-going issue.
I have a Glenhill unvented cylinder setup on my house. Installed 5 years ago (I’ve lived here for a year).
Backstory:
The expansion vessel was replaced in November as the last one had started to leak. No problems at all after install.
In February we had our entire bathroom completely re-done. No issues at all.
During May we notice that there is water dripping into the Tundish. Plumber call, faulty valve identified as the issue. Water pressure seems a little bit lower than before (about 15%) when at full whack. Plumber says that this is because old valve was totally worn so was probably letting in more water than it should.
Over the course of the next few weeks there is an increasingly loud groan and vibration when shower is turned on to full.
Plumber returns. Says that expansion vessel is the problem. Points out it’s attached to the hot water pipe but should be attached to the cold (they did the original install so a bit odd). Install new vessel and attach to new position. Turn on shower and no issues - sorted.
That evening issue has returned. Plumber comes back and says the valve previously installed must be faulty and that he will also replace the flexible pipe to the expansion vessel with solid pipe as per manufacturer (Glenhill) recommendation. This is done but now vibration happens when ANY tap is opened (even cold), as well as when the toilet flushes. Getting a bit annoyed at this point and dig out the manual for the system. Point out that they have put a 6 bar PRV on, but the manual says it should be 4.5. They go off to find part and come back next day to fit it.
Im now away for a couple of days and they come over when my partner is around and fit correct valve. No issues now and no vibrations or noise coming from anything.
I return and notice that pressure is a little lower than before when the cold tap is at max, but no problem as it was a bit overpowering before. Use shower and it’s probably running at 30% less pressure than before. Bugger. Assuming there must be an airlock so check stopcock is fully open (it is) and go to check boiler pressure. It’s just below 1.5 so open the filling loop to top it to 1.5. Nothing happens. Can’t hear any water coming into the system and pressure does not change. Whip off the hose and check water is coming through hose and it is. Then proceed to bleed radiators to try and see if this helps. Fill loop now makes a tiny difference to pressure after leaving open for about 30 seconds. Bit frustrated now and give up.
Have a shower a few hours later and pressure is fantastic, potentially even better than it was before this whole thing started and no vibration when shower as turned on. Great! Turn on cold tap 5 minutes later and the issue is back.
So, it seems that when the water pressure was low (presumably through air lock) there as no issue with vibration. Now pressure is good, issue has occurred again.
I’m thinking at this point either the water pressure in the system is too high and is mismatched to the expansion vessel or, that the expansion vessel is insufficiently charged?
Unfortunately there is no visible gauge on the system so can’t really check this.
Getting a bit beyond a joke now, but as we’re in the midst of renovation, money is tight so don’t want to just get a different plumber in and get charged £££ after already paying for the replacement valve and install originally.
Any ideas?
I have a Glenhill unvented cylinder setup on my house. Installed 5 years ago (I’ve lived here for a year).
Backstory:
The expansion vessel was replaced in November as the last one had started to leak. No problems at all after install.
In February we had our entire bathroom completely re-done. No issues at all.
During May we notice that there is water dripping into the Tundish. Plumber call, faulty valve identified as the issue. Water pressure seems a little bit lower than before (about 15%) when at full whack. Plumber says that this is because old valve was totally worn so was probably letting in more water than it should.
Over the course of the next few weeks there is an increasingly loud groan and vibration when shower is turned on to full.
Plumber returns. Says that expansion vessel is the problem. Points out it’s attached to the hot water pipe but should be attached to the cold (they did the original install so a bit odd). Install new vessel and attach to new position. Turn on shower and no issues - sorted.
That evening issue has returned. Plumber comes back and says the valve previously installed must be faulty and that he will also replace the flexible pipe to the expansion vessel with solid pipe as per manufacturer (Glenhill) recommendation. This is done but now vibration happens when ANY tap is opened (even cold), as well as when the toilet flushes. Getting a bit annoyed at this point and dig out the manual for the system. Point out that they have put a 6 bar PRV on, but the manual says it should be 4.5. They go off to find part and come back next day to fit it.
Im now away for a couple of days and they come over when my partner is around and fit correct valve. No issues now and no vibrations or noise coming from anything.
I return and notice that pressure is a little lower than before when the cold tap is at max, but no problem as it was a bit overpowering before. Use shower and it’s probably running at 30% less pressure than before. Bugger. Assuming there must be an airlock so check stopcock is fully open (it is) and go to check boiler pressure. It’s just below 1.5 so open the filling loop to top it to 1.5. Nothing happens. Can’t hear any water coming into the system and pressure does not change. Whip off the hose and check water is coming through hose and it is. Then proceed to bleed radiators to try and see if this helps. Fill loop now makes a tiny difference to pressure after leaving open for about 30 seconds. Bit frustrated now and give up.
Have a shower a few hours later and pressure is fantastic, potentially even better than it was before this whole thing started and no vibration when shower as turned on. Great! Turn on cold tap 5 minutes later and the issue is back.
So, it seems that when the water pressure was low (presumably through air lock) there as no issue with vibration. Now pressure is good, issue has occurred again.
I’m thinking at this point either the water pressure in the system is too high and is mismatched to the expansion vessel or, that the expansion vessel is insufficiently charged?
Unfortunately there is no visible gauge on the system so can’t really check this.
Getting a bit beyond a joke now, but as we’re in the midst of renovation, money is tight so don’t want to just get a different plumber in and get charged £££ after already paying for the replacement valve and install originally.
Any ideas?
