Pipe that is open on boiler is dripping. Is it a case of tightening something up? Piglet John?

[CrapBag]

I'll try and explain as best I can. Its a pipe at the bottom of the boiler, to the back left hand side, it is open and looks a little bit like a tap. We have noticed its dripping and on pulling out the unit underneath it has been dripping for a little while as the floor board is wet through.

I am hoping it may be a case of capping it off? Or just tightening something up? We are pretty clueless about these things.

I had an engineer around yesterday as it was dripping from somewhere else but after I had had my heating on, this dripping had stopped and it was all dry and he couldn't see anything. However he had already told me on the phone he thought it was the pump and it would be expensive. It concerned me that he could determined what it was and the fact it would cost from a phone call. He also groaned when i told him the make and said they dont make them anymore (sauvier duval or something like that, was here when we moved in and can only be about 8 years old). I didn't pick up on the other drip until after he had gone and the one I called him out for hasn't returned so I am assuming it was a bit of a one off. They were in different places and I found water underneath in a different place so they are unrelated.

A photo would help.

Does it look like this?

Does the boiler have a pressure gauge? What does it read?

Yes that what it looks like, just the other way around.

Pressure is just over 1. Seems fine. Heating and hot water all working well.

the thing in the picture is a drain cock. Tightening the square end of the spindle closes it. There is a rubber washer inside which perishes over time. When this happens, it is best to fit a new cock, although new washers are available, there are a number of sizes. The one in my pic is a better quality one which drips less than cheaper ones.

The knobbly pipe is for pushing a hosepipe onto, so you can lead the water to a convenient drain.

Thanks. Is that something that is easy to change ourselves? (I dsayay ourselves, I do mean DH really ).

Does the boiler have a pressure valve? Do you know how to top it up?

Does the old cock have a hexagon for a spanner to screw it in? Does it attach to a copper pipe, or to something else?

You can't solder wet pipes, and you won't be able to dry out the pipe if it is wet.

oh yes.

It does have pressure.

That makes it easier, as long as you know how to top it up afterwards.