The working efficiency of the combi boiler can get disrupted by numerous minor issues. But you can avoid the major breakdown by identifying and fixing them on time. It will prevent you from expensive and major repairs.
A boiler can only work at its maximum efficiency if certain components are in good working condition including its pressure. Excessive low or high pressure can create a lot of nuisances about which you are going to read in this blog!
What Boiler Does Pressure Represent?
The balance of running air and water inside the heating system is referred to as the boiler pressure. The pressure gauge measures it underneath or in its panel. Just turn on the boiler system to obtain hot water but pressure must remain at a fixed level.
Lower pressure can turn the system completely off while higher pressure in the combi boiler can lead to complete breakdown if not addressed on time. So, you must keep an eye on the pressure level regularly. Never let it touch the 3-bar.
Check if the Pressure of the Combi Boiler Rising
You must check the boiler pressure on a regular basis to make sure that everything related to the heating system is completely fine. Every combi boiler equips with an in-built pressure gauge for easy reading and accessibility to the pressure level. Sometimes the dial starts displaying that the pressure level starts reaching 3 bars.
The displays of the new models are more efficient in showing additional information like pre-set time and temperature of the hot water. The display varies from one model to another advising you to go through the boiler manual carefully.
What is Meant by Accurate Boiler Pressure?
Specifically, in combi boilers, the perfect level of pressure should be:
- The pressure gauge must display a reading of 1-1.5 bars when heating is kept off
- The pressure gauge must display a reading of about 2 bars when heating is kept on
You must know, that any kind of minor fault can fluctuate the boiler pressure impacting the entire heating system. The most common issue regarding any boiler system is its high pressure.
Remember, it is not a matter of immediate concern. Depending on the time period the system keeps on can affect the pressure. Actually slight elevation while the boiler is on or off is a clear indication that it works perfectly fine.
But, you mustn’t neglect the boiler issue if the pressure level keeps rising consistently leaving said levels behind. Then you must understand that it is a matter of concern and can result from any underlying reason. At that time, you must call any qualified heating engineer over to your place to resolve the issue by identifying the problem as early as possible.
Rising and Higher Pressure
Have you checked the pressure gauge of the heating system of your home and found a high level of pressure? Also, noticed abrupt disconnection of the combi boiler once the pressure becomes too high. All of these portray that there is something serious with the heating system of your home.
Although the higher pressure of the combi boiler isn’t inherently perilous yet it has the potential to cause excessive as well as expensive damage. For extreme highness of the pressure, the connection will cut off automatically because of the pressure release valve (PRV). In this situation, the efficiency of the boiler gets compromised severely.
Consistent rising high pressure puts the entire system under stress which can damage its main components such as valves in the end. As a result, you are more likely to experience leaks. At that time, you have nothing to do except consider replacement of those damaged replacements.
For worse conditions, getting a whole new system will not be a bad idea at all. Early detection of the fault can save you from those hefty expenses while keeping the fixtures straight and simple too.
Numerous factors can cause rising in the pressure of the boiler system. The most typical ones are discussed here with the most effective solution options to stop the pressure from reaching 3 bars.
Excessive Water Consumption
When the boiler experiences low pressure for the last few weeks then repressurisation is highly recommended to top the level of water. But if someday you find that gauge represents excessively high pressure then it can cause because by overfilling of water.
So, the solution is simple! All you need to do is to drain a little amount of water from it. Check below how you are going to do it.
- Radiator Bleeding- Do you observe excessive boiler pressure? Then bleeding of the radiator can resolve the issue. Just turn off the boiler system and access the radiator valve. Using the specific key, turn it anti-clockwise. At that time you can hear some sound escaping from the air before the draining of water. But don’t drain a high amount of water. Wipe off the system using a dry cloth and fix it again. It can set the combi boiler pressure under control.
- Filter valve opening- It’s the most common issue you can find in almost every boiler system. The heating system comprises a filter for cycling water to remove impurities. Both the valve along the filter function like the drainage system. You can fix the suspicion of the overfilled boiler by draining the water from the filter valve to retain and stabilize the pressure of the system.
However, if you find that the pressure stabilizes after following the aforementioned suggestions then the problem is solved. But if it starts creeping slowly again then there may be something seriously wrong within the system which needs to be checked by the heating engineers, for:
Damaged and Blocked Pipes
Even a closed boiling system (including a combi boiler) contains an expansion vessel for excess water level allowance. In such a system, a pipe will be there to lead to the tank from the regular boiler. Over time these become clogged due to the accumulation of debris and dirt that results in the build-up of pressure. Just turn off the heating system to have a look into this matter.
If there is any then dissolve the dirt immediately and put the system in its desired place. Afterward, you will observe that the pressure level gets back to normal. Sometimes damage can happen from blockage too and you should call a heating engineer if there is such an instance to fix or replace the pipe.
Expansion Vessel
A faulty expansion vessel is the main reason for to increase in the pressure of the combi boiler. It is there for maintaining the pressure because of water and gas expansion when the system starts heating. Hence even the tiniest fault in the vessel irregulate the pressure of the boiler.
So, despite testing the valves and bleeding the radiator if the boiler heightens the pressure then it is definitely because of the expansion vessel. Don’t try to fix the issue on your own. Suspecting any fault in the boiler component including the expansion vessel needs a professional hand to resolve.
So, inspect your boiler’s effectiveness on a daily basis. In case you suspect something fishy with your heating system call out any London-based boiler repair engineer to get it right for you on the earliest basis!