Radiator warming up when only hot water system on

[trousers]

A question for any plumbers out there...

 

Recently we've noticed that one of the upstairs radiators is getting warm when we have the hot water switched on (but the central heating switched off).

 

Is this likely to be the onset of a drastic problem or maybe it's something as 'simple' as the system needs flushing out or rebalancing in some way.

 

I know zilch about how household hot water systems work so be gentle with me!

 

Cheers,

The Trousers Household

[RedArmy]

Sounds like the 3 port valve.

[ringwood]

its the three way valve stuck, look near the tank, there will be a valve with an electric motor on, probably clagged up with iron from the radiators. If you can see the isolation valves its a diy job to take it off, often just a clean out and refit, but the big diy stores do sellthem

[trousers]

Cheers guys. Is this something I ought to get sorted quickly or can it be left a while without causing any long term harm? Reason being that we're due to go on holiday in a week or so and as such would rather get it sorted in September after we get back. There's someone house sitting while we away so the hot water system will still be in use during that time. Thanks again - appreciated

[Fowllyd]

A question for any plumbers out there...

 

Recently we've noticed that one of the upstairs radiators is getting warm when we have the hot water switched on (but the central heating switched off).

 

Is this likely to be the onset of a drastic problem or maybe it's something as 'simple' as the system needs flushing out or rebalancing in some way.

 

I know zilch about how household hot water systems work so be gentle with me!

 

Cheers,

The Trousers Household

 

Most likely it'll be the zone valve; this is the device which controls the flow of hot water from the boiler through the heating system and hot water cylinder. Put simply, water from the boiler is pumped through the zone valve into either the hot water circuit or the heating circuit (or, of course, both at the same time); if the zone valve is faulty then it may allow water to flow into the heating circuit when it should be stopping that flow. If this happens you'll find that the radiator closest to the valve will warm up when the water's being heated - which is just what you are finding.

 

To sort it, you'll almost certainly need a new zone valve; it'll need to be fitted by someone who knows what they're doing though.

[Fowllyd]

Cheers guys. Is this something I ought to get sorted quickly or can it be left a while without causing any long term harm? Reason being that we're due to go on holiday in a week or so and as such would rather get it sorted in September after we get back. There's someone house sitting while we away so the hot water system will still be in use during that time. Thanks again - appreciated

 

It can stay like that as long as you like; it'll probably get worse over time though. Given that you won't need the heating before it gets fixed (well, probably not, anyway!) you can just turn off all the radiators so they don't warm up.

[trousers]

It can stay like that as long as you like; it'll probably get worse over time though. Given that you won't need the heating before it gets fixed (well, probably not, anyway!) you can just turn off all the radiators so they don't warm up.

 

Cheers - lovely jubbly - sounds like I can go on holiday without fretting about it whilst away.

 

Thanks again for the help guys