Diagnostics & Troubleshooting
We specialise in troubleshooting and diagnostics, we offer this service not only to our existing customers but to anyone with a private water supply problem. The four main reasons for unscheduled maintenance are:
Lack of maintenance
Poor method/workmanship
Substandard parts/equipment
Old age/wear and tear
Some examples of each of these are pictured above and show just some of the problems we have rectified for new and existing customers. We have a great deal of experience in diagnosing and repairing private water supply systems. Sometimes faults can present symptoms in different ways and symptoms presented by different faults can be very similar. This can make diagnosis very difficult especially when there is more than one fault.
We use a combination of knowledge, experience, logical thinking and specialist equipment to identify a fault as quickly as possible. Knowledge for knowing how the equipment should operate and how it should interact and react in a particular given scenario, experience for knowing how the equipment actually works and reacts in a given scenario, logical thinking for ruling in or out the most and least likely faults taking into account real world variables such as “is it raining right now” and specialist equipment to convert theory into reliable results.
163 Automatic Backwash Valve
The 163 automatic backwash valve was and still is an incredibly durable and effective way of timer controlled filter backwashing. The patent for the timers was filed back in March 1965, they have stood the test of time.
Sadly production ended in 2000 and they are now no longer serviced by the manufacturer meaning that any fault that occurs requiring replacement parts means complete replacement of the unit.
We continue to service many systems fitted with these valves, some of which have been in operation for decades.
263 Automatic Backwash Valve
This is the modern replacement of the 163 valve, the design is very similar and uses the same time tested internal method however the moving parts are now controlled by a digital computer and the unit is fitted with an LCD display.
The power supply to these units has been changed for safety reasons from 240v to 12v, other improvements were made to the design over the 163 such as a larger backwash port and a more secure internal top screen.
Sediment Filter Housings
Most sediment filter housings are fairly robust and don’t usually require any maintenance other than replacement of the filter cartridge and cleaning/greasing the ‘o’ ring and sealing surfaces.
These are user serviceable and replacement cartridges are available from our online shop.
There are some filter housings that were fitted with a half turn black plastic isolation valve on the top of the filter housing itself, these housings are highly prone to leaks and we recommend replacement if they are fitted indoors.
Pressure Vessels
The main function of a pressure vessel is to store a volume of pressurised water, the volume of water stored will vary depending on pressure switch calibration, size of the vessel and the amount of compressed air preloaded into the vessel.
Pressure vessels are incredibly sensitive to cold temperatures, the service life of a vessel kept at room temperature will far exceed that of an identical vessel fitted in an area where the temperature is left unregulated or particularly low.
When a pressure vessel reaches the end of it’s serviceable life it will usually be because of excessive corrosion to the vessel, a split bladder or an air leak. Corrosion can be identified by a visual check of the flange underneath, the outer casing and the fitting on top of the vessel if there is one fitted. We will advise you when a vessel is becoming excessively corroded and normally we are able to change it routinely on the next scheduled service.
Bladder integrity can be checked by draining down the vessel and then rocking it, if there is a sloshing sound coming from a significant buildup of water inside the vessel this generally indicates that the internal bladder has failed. Replacement bladders are not suitable for most of our pressure vessels as the mild steel casing will corrode very quickly once water has leaked into the air side, this corrosion is abrasive and will usually wear through the replacement bladder or create an air leak. In this situation the vessel will need to be changed reasonably quickly, if this problem were to go unnoticed or ignored eventually the situation described below will occur.
One symptom of a pressure vessel which has leaked all of it’s compressed air is a “pulsating” or “strobing” effect at any points of use connected directly to the pumped water. Another symptom which may be noticed is a very rapid switching on/off of the pump connected to the vessel, usually identified by a clicking noise every second or two. It is very important that should this situation arise it must be dealt with immediately by electrically isolating the connected pump if it is safe to do so and arranging for an engineer to replace the vessel. Failure to take immediate action will likely result in the failure of the connected pump/pumps.
Grundfos Borehole Pump Control
Coming Soon
UV Sterilisers
Coming Soon