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Original poster

How do I repressurise the combi boiler?

25 replies

CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 09:19

DP knows how but he's at work and struggling to explain it over the phone.

The boiler is showing an error message that means the pressure has dropped too low and I don't really want to call a plumber if I can sort it myself.

The are various taps on pipes underneath the boiler - I think I need to undo one of those but which one? They all feel very tight to my weedy arms.

Help!

OP posts:
Wishfulmakeupping · 26/07/2013 09:21

Call a gas engineer I'd always be cautious when it comes to boilers

Fenton · 26/07/2013 09:23

Ours is very easy/ obvious but it's quite new. Try googling the make and model .

ParsingFancy · 26/07/2013 09:23

There should be a little filling loop for which you can just turn the taps. It may be disconnected and just hanging there when not in use.

Google your boiler model: you may be able to find an online manual or someone answering the same Q on a plumbing site.

EugenesAxe · 26/07/2013 09:23

Get a torch and look - there should be a small black valve on one of them, like a thin, rectangular bit of liquorice. You just turn to right angles and watch the gauge go back up to 1 bar; when it gets there turn it back level again (or back to where it came from anyway).

You should also be able to take off the bottom panel of the boiler to get to/see things more easily.

Hope it goes OK!

Hawkmoth · 26/07/2013 09:23

Is there a tap with a blue handle? If you're lucky there will be, and it's that one. If not, it's a tap on a cold pipe.

Most modern boilers have instructions you can google for.

bluebump · 26/07/2013 09:26

Mine has two taps (under the sink) you turn one, then turn the other and you'll hear it filling up then turn them both off again when you've reached the number you want it at.

Fenton · 26/07/2013 09:27

Sorry posted too soon. On ours there are two vertical pipes with taps on and a flexihose connecting the two - we have to open up both of these taps for a short while until the pressure bar comes up then shut them off again.

If it's an older one it might be a screw head that you have to turn a quarter to open up then shut off. - definitely get instructions for your model though.

worldgonecrazy · 26/07/2013 09:32

follow the pipes out of the boiler and look for a plastic tap - turn it on a bit and allow the boiler to fill back up. It may be behind a cupboard - we have to do a bit of contortion to get to ours, or it may be just under the boiler.

flow4 · 26/07/2013 09:39

There will be tiny taps on the pipes under the boiler, probably blue/red. Don't fiddle with anything that feels tight cos that won't be the right one!

At the mo they should be closed and at right angles to the pipes/'across' them. Move them to be open/in line with the pipes for a few seconds to let more water in, watching the pressure gauge as you do it. Close one of the taps as soon as the pressure is back to normal. It could take as little 3 seconds (depending on your water pressure).

If this is happening regularly, it probably means your boiler has a leak.

MummytoMog · 26/07/2013 10:02

Do you need to pressurise it right now? It doesn't sound like you will really know what you're looking at, even if it's explained to you, and your boiler won't blow up because the pressure is too low. In fact, all that might happen is your heating won't work. If you start fannying about with pipes and spanners without knowing what you're doing, things might go a little bit wrong.

Original poster
CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 10:20

Thanks for all the replies.

I've got the manual and have found some v. Helpful info online but there is talk of filling loops Confused so I need to either wait until there aren't thousands of children screaming at me or until DP gets home.

The advantage of doing it now is there is still time to call a plumber if I can't do it. Waiting until later might mean having to wait until Monday.

OP posts:
mindalina · 26/07/2013 10:27

not all boilers are as easy to repressurise as others - i had to have plumbers out twice to do mine in my last house and the letting agent got a bit shirty with me about it, said quite snottily "it's very easy to do you know" - yes, when you've got a standard filling loop i'm sure it is! but mine was not like the ones in pictures, i'd tried the taps i could see and nothing happened- no way was I going to risk breaking something and incurring the costs of having it repaired. watcha few videos on youtube until you feel confident you're twiddling the right knobs and if your bits look the same as teh videos it should be easy-peasy

MummytoMog · 26/07/2013 11:03

Is something not working though? Or is the pressure completely flat? If you're still getting hot water, then I really wouldn't bother too much with it. Either your DH can do it or you can wait until Monday to call out a plumber.

If the pressure is completely flat, then you probably have got a leak somewhere that you need to do something about.

Our previous boiler had a screw that you turned, because some numpty broke off the little plastic toggle, to refill. I had to use a screwdriver to turn the valve to refill it (although I actually stopped bothering once I realised it worked perfectly well on no pressure).

Fenton · 26/07/2013 11:12

The 'loop' on ours remains connected with the taps turned off, but you can remove it (unscrew it like you would a garden hose) - any chance it's been taken off and is hanging around somewhere nearby?

what model is it?

worldgonecrazy · 26/07/2013 11:34

List the make and model number - that way we could probably give some more definite answers.

Original poster
CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 14:13

I have no hot water an I can live without washing up but a shower would be nice!

It's a Baxi Duo-tec combi.

It's displaying a code that says low system pressure.

OP posts:
Fenton · 26/07/2013 14:49

Is this any good for you ? - you tube clip to show you how to repressurise - you open them both up (lefty loose-y) check that the bar indicator has risen or that pressure has started to rise if it's a digital display, and then close them again (right-y tight-y)

I have checked it - nothing offensive there

Original poster
CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 15:09

Thanks Fenton, mine sounds most like yours from your description above. I'm just about to have a go now.

OP posts:
Original poster
CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 15:19

I did it! It was bloody easy.

Fenton the video link you sent was spot on, the same as what the Baxi site says to do.

I thought it was going to be much more tricky - feeling very pleased with myself now.

OP posts:
Fenton · 26/07/2013 15:21

Hooray, well done!

now, please go and have a shower.

MummytoMog · 26/07/2013 15:33

Well done! Now go buy yourself the Readers Digest Guide to DIY and get empowered ;)

SoupDragon · 26/07/2013 15:35

Check the display after a short while to ensure you've turned the water off properly after re -pressurising it.

Original poster
CobOnTheCorn · 26/07/2013 15:44

Ha ha, no chance of a shower 'til DP gets home and watches the small ones.

DP has the RD guide (I bought it for him, naturally) but these things often fall to me Hmm

Soupy do you know what I should look for? Just to check the error message has gone?

Baby screaming for milk - back later.

OP posts:
BMW6 · 26/07/2013 20:51

I must have an older boiler then - it has a screw head to turn 1/4 vertically

EmmaZh · 07/09/2018 08:37

Thanks a lot for your advice. It helped me 👍

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