Trouble Shooting
Do’s and Dont's
■ Don’t let the fuel supply run out – this is the most common cause of heating failure and may result in air locks in the fuel supply.
■ Don’t drain the system unless absolutely necessary as you will lose the inhibitor and may invalidate the guarantee.
■ Don’t adjust anything in the Underfloor heating Cabinet. If you have a query please call us.
■ Don’t damage the fine copper pipe running to the fire check valve on a diesel fuel line. This may cause the valve to shut down the fuel supply to the boiler.
■ Do run the heating system before the heating season starts to make sure it is working correctly.
■ Don’t wait till it is cold to find out there is a problem.
Gas Safety
■ If you smell gas. Turn off the boiler. Turn off the gas supply at Gas Station. Call your gas supplier.
■ Do not remove, block or cover the flue. This could lead to dangerous fumes being released inside the home.
User maintenance
The tasks listed below should be within the capability of the average person. If you are not familiar with hydronic central heating systems we recommend you read all the instructions relevant to a task before attempting it.
Topping up the System Pressure
The general aim is to add mains water to the existing water in the central heating system. This is done by connecting a mains water supply, using a garden hose, to the system drain and fill tap. This should only be done when the system is cold.
Raising of system pressure.
1. Remove boiler front cover.
2. Remove cap on boiler water inlet and attach hose fitting (Standard Nylex fitting or similar).
3. Attach garden hose to the mains water supply.
4. Turn on hose and run until all air has been purged from the hose.
5. Turn off the hose and attach to the boiler water inlet.
6. Turn the hose back on.
7. Open the valve (on the boiler water inlet), whilst watching the pressure gauge on the front of the boiler. If the valve is remote from the boiler a second person will be required to watch the gauge.
8. When the pressure gauge reaches 1 bar close the valve on the boiler water inlet.
9. Turn off the hose at the mains supply and remove the hose from the supply.
10. Remove the hose from the boiler water inlet.
11. Remove the hose fitting from the boiler and replace the cap.
12. Replace the boiler front cover.
Bleeding the Radiators
In the months after a system has been filled and periodically during the life of a system air bubbles can form in the water in the radiators. This will collect in the highest part of the radiators. Large amounts of air collecting in one radiator will cause the top to remain cold even when the rest of it is hot.
The aim of this task is to open the bleed valve at the top of the radiator that allows the air to escape. It is best to do this when the system is hot and at higher pressure. This may result in the system pressure becoming too low and needing to be topped up.
A Radiator Bleed Valve
WARNING: Do not open the valve by an excessive amount as there is a risk the centre pin will come out leading to excessive water loss from the system.
The following procedure is recommended.
1. Get a small plastic container such as an empty yogurt pot.
2. Rotate the white plastic end of the bleed valve (this doesn’t unscrew it) to point into the container.
3. Using the radiator bleeding key supplied unscrew the square shaped centre until you hear the hiss of air escaping. Don’t unscrew it too far as it may come out completely and excessive amounts of water will escape before you are able to replace it.
4. When most of the air has come out water will start to spray out. When there is a steady stream of water screw the square shaped centre of the valve back into place.
5. Tighten the valve, but do not over-tighten, as there is a risk of stripping the thread.
6. Check the system pressure to make sure it is still above 1 bar and if it isn’t, top up the pressure. Use radiator key to open and close valve and a container to catch the small amount of water that escapes.
Clearing an Air Lock
Sometimes air can build up in a section of pipework and prevents water getting to one or more radiators. This is usually solved by turning off all the radiators that are working and then forcing the air into a radiator from which it is bled.
To do this
1. Turn off all the radiators except the one that isn’t working. (Set the TRVs to ‘0’)
2. Force the system to run by turning up the thermostat and making sure the timer is on a ‘heating on’ period or set to ‘continous’.
3. After a short time the radiator should become hot.
4. Follow the procedure for bleeding the radiator.
Bleeding the Fuel Line (diesel systems)
The general aim of this is to remove a plug in the boilers burner until fuel comes through and then replace the plug.
1. Make sure there is sufficient fuel in the fuel tank.
2. Switch off the power to the boiler.
3. Take the front off the boiler to expose the burner.
4. Unscrew the large screws holding the red burner cover on.
5. Unscrew the plug on the front of the burner. This is just above fuel line where it enters the burner.
6. When diesel appears replace the plug and burner cover.
7. Switch the boiler back on.
8. Press the reset button at the front of the burner.
9. The boiler should now start if the controls require heat.
10. Replace boiler front cover.
If you are having problems with your systems that aren't listed here, please contact us.