Is Your Heating or Hot Water Not Working? It Could Be a Faulty Zone Valve
When your central heating or hot water suddenly stops working, the problem might not be your boiler — it could be a faulty zone valve. At Afterglow Plumbing and Heating, we’ve helped hundreds of Birmingham homeowners and landlords quickly diagnose and fix heating issues caused by zone valve faults.
In this blog, we’ll break down the signs of a faulty zone valve, how it affects your heating system, and why it’s important to get it checked by a qualified engineer like one of our Gas Safe registered professionals here at Afterglow.
What is a Zone Valve?
A zone valve is an electrically controlled valve that regulates the flow of hot water through your heating system. It’s most commonly found in homes with S-plan or Y-plan heating systems, where it controls different heating zones — like separating upstairs and downstairs heating or isolating the hot water cylinder.
When it fails, you may experience problems like:
- No hot water but heating is working (or vice versa)
- Radiators heating up when only hot water is selected
- Constant heating even when the thermostat is off
- Loud clicking or buzzing noises near the valve or motor
- The boiler not firing up at all
Signs Your Zone Valve Might Be Faulty
Here are some common symptoms our engineers see in Birmingham homes:
1.
No Hot Water or Heating
If you’re suddenly without hot water or central heating, it could be due to the valve getting stuck in the wrong position. This stops the flow of hot water to where it’s needed — even if your boiler is working fine.
2.
Radiators Coming On with Hot Water
This is a classic sign of a zone valve stuck open or letting by. It can also lead to increased energy bills because your heating is running when you don’t need it.
3.
Noisy Valve Operation
Clicking, buzzing, or humming near your airing cupboard or the valve location can point to a failing actuator motor — the part that drives the valve open and closed.
4.
Boiler Stays On Constantly or Won’t Come On
Faulty zone valve switches can fail to send the correct signal to your boiler, causing it to stay on when it shouldn’t — or not come on at all.
Why Choose Afterglow Plumbing and Heating?
We know how frustrating it is to be without heating or hot water — especially during Birmingham’s colder months. At Afterglow, we bring over 15 years of experience in diagnosing and fixing heating system faults across Birmingham and the West Midlands.
Here’s why our customers trust us:
Gas Safe Registered Engineers
Fast, Local Response
Transparent Pricing
Trusted Across Birmingham – 5-Star Reviews
Specialists in Central Heating Diagnostics
We don’t just guess – we get to the root of the issue. Whether it’s a worn-out actuator, a faulty microswitch, or a seized valve body, our team will provide an honest diagnosis and cost-effective solution.
What Should You Do If You Suspect a Faulty Zone Valve?
- Check your thermostat and timer – Make sure the system is calling for heat or hot water.
- Listen for valve noise – Any unusual humming or clicking is worth noting.
- Feel the pipework – Is hot water going where it shouldn’t? That could be a tell-tale sign.
- Call in the experts – Electrical faults or valve replacements are not DIY-friendly. These parts are directly connected to your boiler controls, so professional handling is key.
Don’t Let a Faulty Valve Leave You in the Cold
At Afterglow Plumbing and Heating, we’re ready to help. Whether your home in Birmingham needs a simple zone valve motor change or a full heating system diagnosis, we’ve got the tools, training, and experience to get the job done right.
Get in touch today for a fast, friendly service from local experts you can trust.
Call us on 07826924452
Based in Birmingham | Serving the West Midlands
Afterglow Plumbing and Heating – Keeping Birmingham homes warm, one valve at a time.
