Heating Problem

[Themis1977]

I had a radiator moved the other day. It was moved from one wall to a wall across the room. When it was first replaced I had no hot water. The plumber came back and fixed the hot water issue but now my heating doesn't work.

He says that "the board" has gone. I'm not really sure what that means. Is it likely to have been caused by something the plumber has done? It's an old style Vaillant boiler with a water tank in the loft. It was serviced last year and the heating worked fine earlier this year.

Incidentally the hot water coming out of the taps is now ridiculously hot. Is there a way I can turn the temperature down like on a combi boiler?

Was he a plumber or a heating engineer? Did he drain out water?

Have you got a hot-water cylinder? What colour?

Have you got a three-port valve? It will usually be near the pump, and near the boiler or the cylinder.

I believe he was a plumber. I wasn't present for any of the work.
I don't know if he drained out water. The radiator was off for 2 weeks before it was put back and we didn't use the heating in that time. Hot water was fine until he put the radiator back though.

The tank in the airing cupboard is green. I'm not sure about the valve I will need to check when I get home from work.

Start by checking that your timer and room thermostat are "on" for CH and that all the radiators are turned on.

I doubt it is the circuit board in the boiler. I think it will be the three port valve, though there no particular reason why it should have failed. It might be a mechanical or an electrical fault, or it might just be worn out. Call whoever usually maintains your boiler; say what model of boiler you have, and that you have a green cylinder; and that the tapwater is too hot and the radiators are cold. Say you recently had a radiator moved. It is not a DIY fix.

If your boiler has a thermostat control (knob or button) you can turn it down to 60C, or if necessary to 55C for a few days while waiting for repair. This is hot enough to prevent bacterial growth in the cylinder, but not scalding. It may have been set to about 70C which is OK if your controls are working.

p.s.

try bleeding the highest radiator in the house, preferably higher than the cylinder. Does water squirt out forcefully? If not you probably have a blockage. Tell the serviceperson.

Thanks!

Is it likely the plumber has caused it? It was the plumber who said the "board had gone".

Should I call British Gas or a local firm?

Only moved in a few months ago but it used to be a rental so was serviced yearly and worked fine when we tested it all.

Have a look on the Vaillant website. They may list local approved installers. Otherwise ask for recommendations from friends and neighbours.

Some landlords are excessively cost-conscious.

If it is a blockage, it was not caused, but will have become apparent, due to the work. If it is a worn-out valve, they usually last 20 years or so if a good brand like Honeywell. The plumber should not have done anything to make it go wrong, but he might have manually switched it, which is OK unless it is about to go wrong anyway.

Ok he only tapped off and drained one radiator apparently.