I have located the cold water mains pipe, but cannot seem to get anything to happen when opening various valves. The guage is well below 0 at the moment, and there does not seem to be any water in the pipes. The kitchen taps appear to be working fine, so do not suspect mains supply issue. The boiler fan starts up etc, but the pilot light is not ingiting which I believe is due to the lack of pressure. Should I hear the water running in when topping up the system??? Please help!!

Jen, July 2007

Hello,
Yes you should hear water running and must be careful not to leave the valve open. This is because it is a closed system and if you leave the valve open a little eventually the system will become full and over pressured. It should open the pressure relief valve at +3 bar and start kicking water out from below the boiler. Are you sure that there is not an open drain off some where? Also that the feed pipe is open at all points?

Alex, July 2007