Hot Water Cylinder Leaking.

jprender

Hi folks,

noticed the floor very wet in the hotpress this morning (under the water cylinder), and the timber/chipboard frame holding the cylinder is also soaked.

I'm not entirely sure if the cylinder needs replacing or not, but right now I just need to stop the leak.

Should I try to turn off the water supply to the cylinder, and then empty it ?

If so, any ideas on how to do it ?


Many thanks.

jane82

Find the lowest pipe entering the cylinder. Follow the pipe to the gatevalve. Turn it clockwise until it stops.
Run your hot water tap in the kitchen to check you turned the right valve off.
If the tap stops running after a minute or two you got the right one.
On the lowest point in the cyclinder is a drain off valve usually. You can put a hose on this or use a basin under it.
Be careful with it and make sure you dont unscrew it all the way. Unscrewing it all the way will lead to you having half the valve in your hand while the cylinder drains all over the floor.

Edit: If you have a pump pull the fuse out on it first.

jprender

Thanks Jane !

The lowest pipe going into the cylinder seems to be coming from the attic when I trace it back. I am presuming that this is going back to the tank in the attic. There is a red valve alright, so I will turn this all the way clockwise and then run the hotwater tap downstairs as you suggest.

I'll have a look for the drainoff valve when I get home from work this evening.


I do have a pump attached. There is a switch to turn it on and off though. Will it suffice to just turn it off, or do I really need to pull the fuse out as you say ? If so, where do I find the fuse ?!

jane82

Turning it off at the switch should be fine.
If it starts running when you turn the tap on you will know the switch isnt working but it should.

jprender

Great stuff. I love boards.ie

freddyuk

It might be a better idea to find out where it is leaking before you drain down. Otherwise how are you going to find the leak?
Get some paper towel and check each joint into the cylinder starting at the top. Dry any wet joints and then check 10 minutes later. You should identify the leaky joint. It may be the cylinder or it may be the indirect system. So draining the cylinder may not actually be ideal. You may need to drain the boiler feed or other input.
When you have done this post back with results.

jprender

Ok, I've found the leak, and it's actually one of the joints right at the top of the cylinder.

I haven't drained down the system yet.

freddyuk

So maybe you do not need to drain the whole system. Which joint? On the feed from the boiler? Follow it back or take a photo

richieburke01

Drain down a bit of water about a dish full
Then take apart fitting and remake the fitting with flax and hawkwhite

jprender

I'll take a photo this evening and post it up !

jane82

Sounds like the elbow coming off the top. Itlll come across to a pipe that goes up and down if it is.
One end may just need a tighten.
The other side of the elbow will need flax and boss white on it.It can be tricky because you need to spin the elbow to tighten right where it was the last time so that it fits the pipe entering it.
This might take a couple of goes if your not used to it.
If you dont feel comfortable get a plumber. Shouldnt cost more than a call out if its just that elbow.

jprender

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Here is the picture of the top of my HW Cylinder.

You can actually see the offending piece there covered in limescale (we live in an area with very hard water !)

jane82

Is that T fitting encased in limescale?

jprender

If you mean that thing with the two pipes going into it, then yes, that is limescale


We just replaced the immersion element in the cylinder a couple of weeks ago and that was covered also.

freddyuk

Personally I would have a "good" plumber come in a re pipe your cylinder so it is correctly done. If it is that badly scaled up it will not seal properly unless it is re done. Then you can fit a proper vent pipe rising up vertically. Then insulate it all properly so you are not wasting heat.