My neighbour has a bungalow with a feed and expansion (F&E) tank at the top of his loft. It was completely cleaned out a few month ago (it had black gunge in it). About 2 months later the overflow started dripping. On inspecting the tank it was "mould growth" that stopped the ball valve from working.
I think this time it was white mould but I will check with him.
What is causing the mould? How can it be stopped?
Details:
Typical vented central heating system with radiators and oil boiler.
Hot water pump, 3 port valve and hot water tank (HWT) in loft!
Water treated with inhibitor
Standard size F&E tank.
Don't think the tank has a proper lid but it does have minimum insulation.
My guesses:
Pump pumping so hard that water running out of expansion pipe and going down feed pipe causing the tank to become a Radiator.
Inadequately vented loft causing a breeding ground for growth and suitable warmth for growth.
Feed pipe installed causing heat to rises into F&E tank
Port valve, and pump (and HWT which has no where else to go in the bungalow) shouldn't be in the loft. (I would never put a HWT in a loft!)
Has anyone come across this before, and if so what did you do?