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Should Boiler engineer check no problems with Radiators prior to installation of boiler to ensure no potential problems?
Anonymous user 14/03/2024 - 2.30 PM
There was a explosion of coloured brown water from the Radiator in our main room that caused discolouration on the wall and ceilings and went on the carpet, curtains and clothes of our tenant which were on her bed. This occurred when the boiler was turned on. Looks like the valve broke due to increased pressure from the new boiler and this resulted in water exploding out of the radiator. Should the boiler engineer have identified potential risks like this prior to or during installation of the new boiler?
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4 Answers
ipc construction limited
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
installing a new boiler and changing the system from gravity to pressurised can cause problems as the water pressure is increased, but your fitter should have checked any loss of pressure during installation, but to burst and soak walls etc sounds like a defect in the existing pipework/valves and he would not of Known this until it bursts, sounds like an unfortunate accident, i hope this helps thanks Ian
Answered5 April 2013
2
Boiler Homecare
Rating: 5 out of 5
To respond to the previous comment made by CPHG Services, if the installer had included in his quote to carry out an air pressure test prior to flooding the system he would of lost the job as this cost element would of proved preventative and his competitors who had not included this costing would of won the job instead.
But I very much agree with you this practise you have highlighted when converting an open vent to a pressurised system as this is 'good working practise'. But alas the customer seems to be more focused on the most competitive quote rather than the ‘best practise one’!
Answered10 April 2013
2
Anonymous user
Your engineer should have made you aware that the increase in pressure system when converted to a sealed system always has the potential to produce possible leaks at weak points that have previously been able to cope with lower pressure. In addition, the system should ALWAYS be subjected to a dry air pressure test prior to filling the system as this will reveal any leaks and offer the opportunity to correct before filling the system with water.
Answered8 April 2013
1
NXG Heating
Rating: 5 out of 5
Prior to the boiler installation an engineer should inform the customer of the potential issues that a new boiler can cause to radiators pipe work. Like converting from a open system to a pressurised system (due to more pressure) or higher kw boiler pumping water around much faster in the system
Due to the pressure increase to a pressurised system, there is always a risk that if the radiators are old, that they will it withstand the pressure. Which will lead to leaking or splitting.
So yes, the engineer should have really gone through this with you
Answered30 May 2020
0