Sticky Black Puddle In Airing Cupboard

[foxyferret]

Hi, this morning I found a horrible puddle of really gooey dark brown/black stuff under the hot water tank in the airing cupboard. It looks and feels like black treacle. We have a potterton gas boiler downstairs, it has been in the house since it was built around 1995, so has the tank. I have a feeling this is going to be costly, sooner or later we were going to have to replace the boiler but can anyone tell me what is the black stuff? Thanks.

[Khandro]

You have a leak

[malagabob]

Could be a leak on the central heating side. Investigation of where it’s dripping from is next step. Could be a simple tightening of a nut, to drain down and sealing leaking area.

[Etch]

If it is a leak from the central heating/hot water system it's difficult to explain why the fluid is the consistency of treacle. Have you checked the header tank (usually in the loft) for the CH/HW system? Is it still filled, and are the contents 'watery'?

[foxyferret]

Update. The old cylinder had given up. I had to have a new 167 litre hot water tank, 2 expansion tanks, lots of new copper pipe work and a new timer. Total cost incl labour and VAT £1640. I think I may need a lie down in a dark room.

[Khandro]

These things just come to test & try us. Commiserations

[foxyferret]

Thanks Khandro, I knew it would be costly but didn’t think it would be quite so high.