Plumbing question (water and heating come on together)

Mark A

Mark A

Mark A

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19 May 2005
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Lancashire
Hi,

Just thought I'd ask as I know there are a few plumbers on here. My mum is having trouble with her heating system. The radiators will turn on when just the hot water is selected.

From a quick google it would seem that the Mid position motorised valve has packed in? This looks like it would be very easy for me to replace.

The problem is that she wants to swap the old gas boiler/emersion heater for a combi-boiler at some point in the future. Would the motorised valve still be needed in the new system? As i don't want to waste £60 buying one, only to scrap it in a couple of years.

Also I think I might swap out the pump at the same time as that is going on for 15 years old now. Would the pump be ok with the new system, or do combi-boiler systems not use a pump?

This is the motorised valve: http://www.heatingcontrolsonline.co...a16793-midposition-motorised-valve-p-110.html

And the pump: http://www.heatingcontrolsonline.co.uk/circulating-pumps-myson-compact-cp53-domestic-pump-p-193.html

TIA
 
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the valve might just be seized, remove the actuator from the head of the valve (4 screws) then use some pliars to twist the spindle back and forth and see if it moves freely.

alternatively pull the little lever on the side of the actuator (electric bit ontop of the valve) and see if it returns to its original position.
 
Had a look at it today but it is in a really awkward position and hard to get to as the water tank is directly above and there is only a few inch gap between the ply and the valve.

How much would a plumber charge to fix this roughly?

I managed to find the exact part number, but only one online store seems to sell it and its £51. Would it be worth buying the part then finding a plumber to fi it, so they cant rip me off on the part price.

It does look easy to fit myself, so I might give it a go, but there is only 2 shut-off valves fitted and the pipe that goes into the tank doesn't have one. I'm guessing I'd have to drain the whole system to replace it?
 
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Mark A said:
The problem is that she wants to swap the old gas boiler/emersion heater for a combi-boiler at some point in the future. Would the motorised valve still be needed in the new system? As i don't want to waste £60 buying one, only to scrap it in a couple of years.
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It's 60 quid... if it's really that much of a problem can she really afford to run the heating at all?!
 
PeterNem said:
It's 60 quid... if it's really that much of a problem can she really afford to run the heating at all?!
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The part is £50, I'm trying to find out how much it will cost for fitting, could end up costing £300 - £400 for all I know...

Its not really that much of a problem, but there are loads of things she is paying out for at the moment to get the house warmer. Just spent £2000 on new doors and windows, which she has borrowed off me. She's on a crappy wage and is trying to save for a combi boiler system fitting, so trying to save as much as possible. £300 takes a big chunk away from any savings she has put to one side.

I could justify spending the money on the part if it wasn't going to be replaced with the new system. Seems a waste...
 
I had these exact symptoms recently, which I had the plumber check when he was servicing the boiler.

Turns out that my daughter had shoved some of her old barbie dolls into the airing cupboard where the pump and valve are. One of them was leaning against the valve that directed water to the radiators and stopped a little black arm from moving freely. That in turn meant that the heating came on whenever the hot water did. Simple to cure! Are you sure the valve's actually broken?
 
Flying Gribble said:
I had these exact symptoms recently, which I had the plumber check when he was servicing the boiler.

Turns out that my daughter had shoved some of her old barbie dolls into the airing cupboard where the pump and valve are. One of them was leaning against the valve that directed water to the radiators and stopped a little black arm from moving freely. That in turn meant that the heating came on whenever the hot water did. Simple to cure! Are you sure the valve's actually broken?
Click to expand...

Haha, I did think that would be the case as the cupboard was full of junk, but I think its had it unfortunately. The black lever wont budge at all. Its done well for 15 years though!

From the description of the part, its the exact dimensions of the older part and has industry standard wiring. I cant see any reason why I couldn't fit this myself and save my Mum the cost of a plumber, so going to order the part and give it a go.

I'd still be interested to know if this part and the water pump are still used in a system that uses a combi-boiler though. if they are then I'll get a new pump and replace that at the same time.
 
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