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OldBerkshireBoy

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Posts posted by OldBerkshireBoy

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    15 minutes ago, addicted said:

    Back in the 90s we bought a house  where the previous owners had already had a maintenance contract with British Gas for the central heating system so we decided to continue it as it wasn't exorbitantly expensive in those days.  I used to get them in regularly each Autumn because the radiators would always needed balancing  and there was one particular chap who did a superb job on this' which wasn't easy as the house had been extensively extended over the years and still had the same boiler that had been installed when it was built which meant that strictly speaking it  was under sized for the size of the house however it never broke down'  although on one occasion I thought the pump didn't sound right so I called  the engineers to come and have a look at it. 2 turned up, disappeared into the airing cupboard (where the pump was housed) emerging some time later to report that it did indeed sound a bit rough and went on to point out that if the cause turned out to be "aggressive water" then  I would have to bear the cost. "Sharks in the header  tank perhaps?  I asked. " Dunno about that"  said one but them's the rules these days.

    Fortunately the funny noises ceased and the boiler carried on as normal. These days I do as had been suggested here, no more ,maintenance contracts. Having had a new boiler installed 18 months ago I have it serviced by the plumber that  installed it in order to keep the guarantee valid and that's it.

     

     

    Carole

    Oh yes the aggressive water clause used by every boiler manufacture as a get out of jail free card because either you didn`t have the very expensive system powerflush carried out or you haven`t got the mag filter fitted.

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    4 minutes ago, Hylander said:

    Now that is a comfort to know that we are not alone in our bungalow as far as water pressure is concerned.    Cold water is really good but the hot , well there is another story.    We have a bath (which I wont part with) but to fill it takes forever and the water is getting cold by the time you get in.      The electric shower Aqualux is really good.         In the kitchen if I put the hot tap on ,  I can get on with something else before it comes through hot.    Think it must come the long route.   Have considered a pump in the past but think it is too much of a faff.     You get to a stage where you just get on with what you have.   Oh the joys.

    By the way I wont part with my water tank in the airing cupboard.      How people air their clothes these days beats me.   

     

     

     

     

     

    See if your boiler has a pre heat function to cut down on the delay you mentioned 

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    1 minute ago, grendel said:

    I have a water tank on mine (in the airing cupboard) and next to it is a red bottle thing, the gauge is on the bottle thing. there should be a section of removable pipe next to the bottle thing, you connect this up and turn the taps on each end to pressure up the system. the systems tend to lose pressure if you bleed the radiators. the last time I had a problem with my central heating it was the tap on this system, the rubber valve came away inside the tap and stopped me shutting it off

    Red bottle thing is the expansion tank, removable pipe is Silver braided flexi and you fully open one valve and slowly open the other until pressure gauge is at correct pressure then close valves and remove pipe although people often don`t remove. If pressure is greater than desired then bleed a radiator to reduce pressure. Generally 0.9 bar at cold and 1.5 at hot but can vary from boiler to boiler.

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, hazelgirl said:

    Ok that's fine, will go on the gauge hunt tonight, it's definitely isn't a combi though, or at least I don't think it is, we wouldn't have a water take if it was a combi would we?  

    It is becoming confusing because you said water tank then combi boiler and problems with hot/ cold shower plus asking about running a bath.

    If I may, google the make & model of the boiler when you get home you may even find info you can follow up on.

    • Haha 1

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    2 minutes ago, hazelgirl said:

    No idea hahaha but the gas hob works so I guess we did  :default_norty: 

    Our water pressure is extremely low where we live to the point that if someone flushes their loo while you are in the shower you have to brace for a scalding or a freezing lol, are Combination boilers very sensitive to that, will it take me 3 hours to run a bath?????

    Combi boilers can be sensitive to that and as much as possible should be matched to the water pressure & flow (One size does not suit all). Re the bath, again it is about how much water flows through the boiler and time taken to heat it, that said there are different types of set ups and combi boilers so without being eyes on I can`t comment, going to suggest the gauge hunt again as you mentioned combi again.

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    1 minute ago, hazelgirl said:

    We have since had confirmation that no money will be taken until an engineer has been so that's fair enough I guess, will have a look for a gauge tonight but there isn't one that's completely visible, this is a conventional boiler btw with a water tank.

    Ah, forget the pressure gauge then. Did you pay the last gas bill? :default_biggrin:

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    Just now, hazelgirl said:

    Thanks for the tip, I will pass on to him who will never be obeyed so he can check it out tonight, I get what you are saying about the "middle aged independent guy" but we really struggle in our area to find honest reliable trades people, it's not just plumbers, it's any trade.

    It is terribly annoying when you take a day off work and wait in for nobody to turn up, my mum has had 3 different plumbers over the past few years and none of been reliable where time keeping and getting hold of them was concerned. 

    Fully understand what you say, best you can do is talk to family (maybe not in this case lol), neighbours, work colleagues, people at the gym, bus stop etc. Probably best if I don`t go into details but I will not use web sites that claim to have have checked your trader or offer local only buildersmy.

    • Like 1

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    26 minutes ago, ranworthbreeze said:

    Sadly these days there are part fitters rather than service engineers, if they do not have the part they do not have the time, temperament, or skills to repair a circuit board for example. 

    Regards

    Alan

    Don`t blame the engineers instead blame the fat cats that own the bigger outfits for squeezing the engineers so much that they simply don`t have the time nowadays.

    +20yrs back I was doing 4 jobs a day repairing water pumps, every job was done properly and mostly fixed in one visit. When I recently left it was expected that the same guy would attend 7 jobs a day (note attend) and second visits for whatever reason were chargable.

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    6 minutes ago, hazelgirl said:

    Well it looks like we maybe in for an expensive one too, our trusty old boiler decided to not fire up yesterday so we are currently without heat or hot water, we do still have the shower so that's good.

    Fingers crossed any repairs (if possible) will be covered by the home care scheme and the £60 excess we have just paid before an engineer will be sent I find a bit odd, if you're covered you're covered aren't you? hmmmm maybe I am not understanding the policy correctly, either way I suspect the old gal has had it and we need to brace ourselves lol 

    Firstly look for a pressure gauge and if that is reading below 1bar all may not be lost, secondly the company you mention have a poor reputation so should you be told that parts are no longer available then I suggest you try a middle aged independent guy.

    Don`t get me started on having to pay before they will attend.

    Good luck.

    An Expensive Weekend.

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    1 minute ago, oldgregg said:

    No, they arrive in a blue van that matches the TV adverts....

    Of which there are good service engineers and what is known as sales engineers but that is a whole different topic. :default_biggrin:

    Find a good local independent guy and put your monthly contract money in a jam jar is my advice to anyone with a gas boiler.

    • Like 7

    My Day

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    12 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

    Never ask an Englishman where he is from

    If he is from Yorkshire, he will tell you

    If he is not, it is unfair to embarrass him

     

    Griff

    Easy to tell if a man is from Yorkshire, trousers made by Burtons and pockets made by Chubb! :default_biggrin:

    • Like 2
    • Haha 5

    March Reflection

    in Holiday Tales & Blogs

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, Ray said:

    Well, to complete the 'small world' as I guessed correctly, I too was at Sutton Staithe being visited by Pumpmedic, also my first meeting with a forum member :default_smile:

    A great pleasure it was as well, thanks for your visit Pumpmedic, a genuine pleasure to meet you.

    Maybe next time we'll be lucky enough to catch you, SwanR, as well :default_beerchug:

    Didn`t feel it was my place to name names mate. The pleasure was all mine to view such a cracking boat and to meet you as I just said elsewhere.

    • Like 2

    March Reflection

    in Holiday Tales & Blogs

    Posted

    23 minutes ago, SwanR said:

    It was indeed the Sutton Staithe Hotel where we had a very nice lunch today having completed my few days of “no cooking allowed”!

    Can highly recommend the scampi and chips which they let us have as 2 for £12 under their Friday fish and chips deal. 

    D227A082-8A44-46D8-A308-D3E192A83D8C.jpeg

    I was visiting a forum member for the first time in Sutton Staithe marina around lunchtime, would of been good to meet another, oh well there`s always another day.

    • Like 1

    Car Talk

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    1 hour ago, grendel said:

    we apply diversity to projects (the assumption that everyone isnt using everything at the same time), your average house uses 1.5kVA (kW) if it is gas heated, if you add electric heating that figure rises to approximately 6kVA, thus you need at least 4 times as many substations and larger cables etc etc, add car charging to each plot (3kW) and that now 6 times as much electrical infrastructure required

    This has been discussed on a plumbing forum with sparkies chipping in with comments and as things stand at the moment it just isn`t possible as there is no money for building what is required.

    • Like 1

    Car Talk

    in The Broadscot Lounge

    Posted

    2 hours ago, psychicsurveyor said:

    With the upcoming ban on gas Boilers in new builds,  leading to increasing demand for electricity to power homes,  how is the further demand for electric cars going to be met ?

    They tried this gas boiler ban before and it didn`t work plus not a lot has changed since so can`t see it being law myself, well not in my lifetime.

    • Like 4
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