Heating Lost Pressure

[clueless456]

Hi, I realise this is an electrical forum and not plumbing, but was wondering if somebody could help.

My heating is not working and the heating pressure guage has dropped to zero. The black valve you can see to the right of the photo cannot be turned and is locked in place. I cannot see any other valve, or screw to turn to increase the pressure back to normal. Should there be another valve switch somewhere?

Does anyone know what I can do to increase the pressure on the guage? I would really appreciate any help, as would prefer not to have to call out a heating engineer.

Many Thanks

 

[DPG]

The black tap will probably have seized due to lack of use. But if the pressure has dropped suddenly rather than just gradually over time, then it points to an issue somewhere in the system

 

[clueless456]

The black tap will probably have seized due to lack of use. But if the pressure has dropped suddenly rather than just gradually over time, then it points to an issue somewhere in the system

The black tap looks to be screwed in place with a little screw stopping it from moving. I haven't tried unscrewing it, as I assumed it was locked in place for a reason?

 

[DPG]

The black tap looks to be screwed in place with a little screw stopping it from moving. I haven't tried unscrewing it, as I assumed it was locked in place for a reason?

The screw just holds the plastic tap on to the metal spindle of the valve. Try again with more force. The worst that will happen is the black tap will spin and do nothing.

 

[clueless456]

The black tap will probably have seized due to lack of use. But if the pressure has dropped suddenly rather than just gradually over time, then it points to an issue somewhere in the system

Problem solved and pressure now sorted. The black tap was just stuck and extremely stiff, but just managed to turn it.

Thank you for speedy reply.

 

[DPG]

Problem solved and pressure now sorted. The black tap was just stuck and extremely stiff, but just managed to turn it.

Thank you for speedy reply.

Nice one. Keep an eye on the pressure over the next few hours/days to see if it starts dropping.

 

[clueless456]

Nice one. Keep an eye on the pressure over the next few hours/days to see if it starts dropping.

Thank you. The pressure has dropped a little since it was reset - What things could cause this? Could it be caused by having heating up too high / too many radiators on / radiators o too high etc?

Should the pressure always remain at the same level, or is it normal to go up & down?

 

[DPG]

Thank you. The pressure has dropped a little since it was reset - What things could cause this? Could it be caused by having heating up too high / too many radiators on / radiators o too high etc?

Likely a pressure leak somewhere. Either in the heating system itself, or somewhere in the pipes/radiators.

Someone with better plumbing knowledge than me will hopefully be able to help a bit more.

Pressure vessels in combi boilers often leak, bit I'm guessing that red tank in your picture is an external pressure vessel?

 

[littlespark]

Bleed the radiators, then up the pressure again.

Air inside the rads compress more than water.

 

[clueless456]

Likely a pressure leak somewhere. Either in the heating system itself, or somewhere in the pipes/radiators.

Someone with better plumbing knowledge than me will hopefully be able to help a bit more.

Pressure vessels in combi boilers often leak, bit I'm guessing that red tank in your picture is an external pressure vessel?

Thank you - I don't know if it's an external pressure vessel... I am a bit clueless with things like this.