What Is A Diverter Valve?

There are tons of components that make up a boiler, which is why it can be hard to identify the issue when it comes to boiler breakdowns. By understanding what parts of your boiler do and how they can impact your system, you can find it much easier to diagnose problems and have quick repairs. Understanding the answer to ‘what is a diverter valve?’ is a great place to start, as faults with this component can be the cause of no hot water.

As our team are highly experienced in boiler installations in Olney and the surrounding areas, we have put together a guide on what is a diverter valve so that you can understand whether this could be causing your boiler breakdown.

What Is A Diverter Valve? A Bishop Plumbing & Heating Guide

A faulty diverter is a common problem with boilers, which is why, more times than not, you may be told that your diverter needs repair or replacement if your boiler keeps breaking down.

Below we have provided a host of information, but if you would like to find out more or need our plumbers to see if you could benefit from a diverter replacement, please feel free to get in touch with our plumbers in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.

• What Is A Diverter Valve In A Boiler?
• How Does A Diverter Valve Work?
• How Much Is A Diverter Valve?
• How To Test A Diverter Valve
• How To Fix A Diverter Valve
• What Other Boiler Problems Could I Have?

What Is A Diverter Valve In A Boiler?

A diverter valve can be found in a combi boiler, and it can start to cause issues when the boiler is around ten years of age. The diverter controls your home’s water flow, such as through your radiators, taps and showerheads.

Combi boilers work by prioritising the hot water depending on the location where it is needed. This means that, for example, if you were to turn the tap on in the bathroom, then the boiler will divert the hot water to come out of the tap and restrict the heat going through the radiators. The reason for this is that a combi boiler will heat water on demand rather than storing it all up in a cylinder. To achieve this, it will need a diverter valve.

As the diverter valve is a main component of the combi boiler, it is more likely to require repairs over time. So, if you find that your hot water is not heating up efficiently or your heating isn’t keeping your home warm, it may be wise to contact a trustworthy plumber to check your diverter valve.

How Does A Diverter Valve Work?

Now that you know what a diverter valve is in a boiler, it’s time to discuss what does a diverter valve do? The concept is very simple; the diverter valve will open and close to restrict or allow the flow of hot water through your taps and radiators. This means that when the boiler needs to send your tap hot water instead of to the radiators, the diverter valve will close the supply of hot water to the radiators and open the supply to the taps – diverting the heat to another location. This is the same concept as a shower diverter valve, where you can close the supply of water coming out of the showerhead and open it to flow from the bath tap instead.

Unlike a combi boiler, a system and conventional boiler will not require a diverter valve, and the boiler will use the hot water supply from a cylinder tank. This means that the hot water can be supplied to your tap and radiators at the same time. While this can be beneficial, when the hot water tank runs out of hot water, you will have to wait for the hot water supply. On the other hand, a combi boiler will supply non-stop hot water, meaning less chance of a cold shower!

How Much Is A Diverter Valve?

If your diverter valve is faulty and you need professional help, you could be looking at anything between £80 and £200 for the valve and the labour. Our team of experts in boiler installations in Olney and the surrounding areas are always on hand to accommodate last-minute repairs or replacements.

We understand that repairs are needed when you least expect them, so for that reason, we offer both finance options and our service plan. Our finance options allow you to spread the cost of your replacement over a 12-month, 14-month or extended plan, making repayments more manageable. For those who would prefer to stay prepared for the unexpected, our service plan starts from £5.50 a month and provide you with priority access to one of our engineers should a problem arise.

For more information on our expertise, service plan or finance options, do not hesitate to contact our team.

How To Test A Diverter Valve

It is all fair and well knowing everything you need to know about the technicality of a diverter valve, but what are the signs of a faulty diverter valve? Knowing the signs can help you to identify whether this could be causing your boiler issues. Here are the most common problems that occur with a diverter valve:

• No hot water – if you have no hot water coming from taps as well as cold radiators, then this could be a sign that your diverters are no longer working efficiently.
• Hot water but no heating – if you have hot water but no heating, then this shows that the diverter can no longer redirect the hot water to the location where you need it.
• Lukewarm water – if you have lukewarm water, then it could show that the diverter is sharing the heat rather than diverting it.

How To Fix A Diverter Valve

It is highly recommended that you do not attempt to fix the diverter valve yourself unless you are trained to do so. It can be dangerous to attempt to replace the valve, and you could end up causing more damage than good. For this reason, we highly advise that you contact our team if you are having any issues with your boiler and central heating system. Our experienced plumbers will be able to correctly diagnose the issue, and if it is the valve, they can help you to repair or replace it.

All of our plumbers know how to fix a diverter valve and will start by running a check to see whether it is, in fact, the valve causing the issue. In many cases, it could be that the valve has simply got stuck and need a quick clean and refitting.

What Other Boiler Problems Could I Have?

As well as looking out for signs that your diverter valve needs repairs, it is also important for you to make sure that you keep an eye out for signs that there could be other problems with your boiler. There are many things that could be causing your boiler to break down, and understanding the different signs can help you to diagnose the issue. However, if you are unsure what the problem is, our plumbers are always just a phone call away!

Here are the most common problems you can have with your boiler and what they could mean:

Leaking Boiler

A boiler leak is not only dangerous, but it can also end up costing a lot of money in repairs for the boiler and for the rest of your home. There are various reasons as to why your boiler may be leaking, including the following:

• Pressure Relief Valve – As a safety precaution, your pressure valve will allow water to pass if your boiler pressure is too high. You can find out more about boiler pressure on Home Serve.
• Temperature Pressure Relief Valve – Only some boilers will have this type of valve and it works similar to the pressure relief valve discussed above but for temperature. This means that if the temperature is too high, then it will pass water.
• Corrosion – The tanks and pipes of your boiler may corrode over time which could mean that you need to make small replacements within your boiler to prevent a breakdown or leaks.
• Badly Installed Pipework – In some cases, if the pipes of your boiler have not been fitted correctly, then this can cause leaking. This is why it is important to contact a reliable, experienced and expert team.
• Leaking Pump – If your pump is leaking, then it can easily be replaced or resealed to stop the leak.

High or Low Boiler Pressure

In order for your central heating system to work, it will need to be pressurised and sealed. The reason for this is that if your boiler’s pressure is too high or low, then it can stop it from working, leaving you in the cold. If this is an issue you are facing, then please feel free to contact our team for boiler installations in Woburn Sands and the surrounding areas.

Noisy Boiler

A boiler can make all sorts of noises, from gurgling to whistling and banging, all of which can indicate different things that could be wrong with the boiler. It is normal to experience a small amount of noise, but if you have a loud or constant noise, then it could be a sign that there is an underlying issue. Some issues that could be causing the problem include:

• Air In The Central Heating – This can potentially be solved by bleeding your radiators to release the air.
• Low Water Pressure – It will be important for you to check your pressure gauge and contact our plumbers if you need your pressure changed.
• Faulty Pump – The pump for your central heating is what pushes the water around your system. You will need to get in contact with a professional to fix a faulty pump.
• Limescale Or Sludge – A build-up of sludge and limescale can cause the boiler to make gurgling noises which can lead to further, more serious problems. Powerflushing could be a solution to this.

Boiler Not Firing Up

Some of the issues that could be causing your boiler not to fire up can be solved yourself, while others will need to be diagnosed and repaired by an experienced plumber. These issues include:

• Thermostat is set too low or there is a fault.
• Boiler timer has been reset; this can be the cause if you have had a power cut.
• The fuse to your boiler may have tripped, so double-check if this could be the problem.
• If the pilot lights have gone, then simply follow the instructions on your boiler to reignite it. If it does not reignite, then you may need to contact our plumbers.

Do You Need Your Diverter Valve Replaced?

There are plenty of signs that you may need your diverter valve repaired or replaced, and by understanding the issues that can occur, you can easily identify what problems could be causing your boiler not to run efficiently. Whether you have an idea what the problem could be or need help identifying the issue, our plumbers are always here to help offer you experienced and expert boiler installations in Olney and the surrounding areas, ensuring that you have the most efficient and cost-effective solution.