Hot water diverter valve issue?

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Hi,

I've got a two zone radiator system coupled with a hot water tank gas boiler. As its got warmer and I turned the thermostats down to 0, I've noticed the upstairs radiators were still hot.

I thought this might be a thermostat issue, so recently turned the central heating off for summer, leaving only hot water schedules. However, I'm still getting heat loss, pipes at the bottom of my towel rails are very hot, with 0 on thermostat and only hot water on. Seemingly much less hot water in the tank as well currently, running cold after maybe 60% of expected use.

Does this sound like a sensible diagnosis as a diverter valve problem or could it be something else? Are they an expensive fix?

EDIT: i've just read that only combis have diverter valves? Any ideas?

Thanks :)
 
I think its referred to as a 3-way valve. We've just had our system converted to a combi, so that and the hot water tank and loft header tank are all gone now: but it did fail a couple of times for us over the years. Ours was in the same cupboard as the hot water tank. I don't remember it being particularly expensive to sort out: something like £100-120 bill from my usual plumber.
 
Thanks guys for that, as long as it's just a valve that's not too bad. Ive probably only noticed it close to the hot water tank, rads within 10m maybe?

I'll get someone out to find, check and replace the valve.
 
Check the valve is on auto not manual - you will have one near your tank. I don't have a combi but I have a 3 way Valve. Ancient looking honeywell thing.
 
Thanks guys, are these 3 grey boxes the valves? They have manual/auto, labelled CH1, CH2 and HW. All currently look to be auto - it seems the problem is worse tonight and hot water will now only get luke warm. So clearly a fault :(

 
When you turn the hot water on are you seeing the valves move?
No but not sure I've ever seen anything there move to be honest.

Something is properly broken now, the boiler won't even kick in, it's like the tank thermostat isn't telling it too, but boiler is fine with CH and immersion heats the tank ok.

I guess it's a valve or broken thermostat but at least the boilers not dead :)

EDIT: switched all 3 2-port valves to manual and it's working, downside being I have to have CH & HW on to get HW. But proves the problem is with one of the 3 at least.
 
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