[juliem]

Lit my fire today for the first time...only a gentle fire because wanted to check gravity fed pipes to solar tank upstairs all ok. (ie the hot water is getting away)Years ago after a power cut (lasted 2 days) water boiled at the back of the stove because electric pump could not   pump water round the radiators and air got trapped.Took days to sort.
Anyway today could not get the hot water in the pipes to rise to the tank.....I am wondering if there is water in the pipes at 1st floor level ? Perhaps the feeder water tank which feeds the system is not working..ballcock stuck?
Is there a way you can tell if there is any water in a copper pipe?
Sorry if this is a bit technical...just want to be able to light my fire.

[juliem]

all sorted..it was the ballcock in the headtank which had got stuck .Silly me I thought that the water that the fire heats in the back boiler actually goes into the tank where we get out domestic water from..(..it's also solar as well).I had not realized that the water that the woodburner heats is a closed system and just heats a coil that heats the water.
And I've had a woodburner/multi stove for 30 plus years.
I have got oil heating as a back up.....but you can't beat lighting a fire these Autumn days.All set to hibernate the rest of the winter now my fire is sorted.
Have read of peope who return from holiday where water has frozen at the back of the stove and when they light the fire....the house explodes.

[Womble]

Good, I'm glad you're sorted.

I did read your post, but it was hard to tell what was happening without knowing your exact system.

Is there a way you can tell if there is any water in a copper pipe?

 

[landroverroy]

Is there a way you can tell if there is any water in a copper pipe?