A diverter valve is a crucial part of your combi boiler and central heating system. It allows you to either direct heat to your heating, or your hot water. Combi boilers have different valves. If your diverter valve is faulty it can potentially lead to no heating, hot water, or a combination of both.
What is a diverter valve?
A diverter valve operates on demand and determines whether you want central heating or hot water, by switching over when there is a call for demand on either your radiators or hot water taps. When a tap is turned on with a combi boiler, the diverter valve allows the hot water to get warm so you can have increased flow rate from your hot water outlets.
How do I know if my diverter valve is faulty?
These common symptoms can be an indication your diverter valve is faulty:
Hot Showers, Cold Radiators: If you have hot water from your taps but cold radiators, the diverter valve may not be functioning properly.
Lukewarm Water: If you're only getting lukewarm water, the valve might be partially stuck, allowing some hot water to flow to the radiators instead of the taps.
Hot Water Only with Central Heating On: A faulty diverter valve often becomes more noticeable in warmer months when heating isn’t used. If hot water is only available when the central heating is on, the valve isn’t diverting hot water correctly.
How do I test a boiler diverter valve?
If you suspect your diverter valve is faulty, or have any of the above issues with your central heating and hot water, it is important to call a fully Gas Safe registered heating engineer. AWP Boiler Installations can attend and check your diverter valve is in fully working order and not sticking.
Fixing a stuck diverter valve
Not the most expensive boiler breakdown, it is relatively affordable. However; if your boiler installation is under warranty you may find replacing your diverter valve is covered under your boiler manufacturer’s guarantee.
When to Call the Experts
If you are finding you are having issues with your central heating or hot water and think it could be related to your diverter valve, contact us at AWP Boiler Installations and we can book you in for boiler repairs. We can inspect your diverter valve in the areas we cover throughout the West Midlands and test to see if it is in full working order or faulty. We are happy to help!
