How do I turn my water off to drain my hot water tank?

EliteHeat · 12 May 2008 at 4:41AM

loaner wrote: »

I'd leave it for the plumber, then if they break it, they have to fix it.

No they won't. If it is a valve that is supposed to turn and doesn't, then it is already broken. If it breaks on turning, then it was already faulty.

Why would you expect the plumber to pay for broken components?

EliteHeat · 12 May 2008 at 8:25AM

Don't worry, they know how it works and won't break it - it's a valve and it either works or it doesn't.

SoozyJ22 · 12 May 2008 at 11:55AM

The plumber ended up having a minor tomstickland moment - I didn't have much confidence in him in the first place, but then I heard some loud exclamations and went to find about an inch of water all over the bottom of the airing cupboard and him trying to stop more coming out of the immersion join. He claims the pipe had stopped draining (I'm not convinced since I saw water coming out of it a little while later) and then when he'd gone to take the heater out water went everywhere. He'd screwed the heater partly back in and it was still leaking water so he decided he was going to 'jump' (?) it - but then the old heater element was somewhat distorted and didn't want to come out - so lots more water came out - luckily into a towel that I'd thrown down on the floor. Anyway, the water soon stopped and he put the new heater in and I'm left with a damp floor and a bath full of disgusting soaked towels with manky green water tank crap on them. I'm just hoping the water's not made its way downstairs.

On the plus side, I've told work that I need to work from home this afternoon so I can leave all the windows open to help it dry out so that's good.

bookduck · 12 May 2008 at 12:13PM

Hope he put some special compound around the thread of the element before screwing it back in, or it may still might leak a bit -I'm sure you've checked though and will keep an eye on it for a few days.

An electronic descaler works well for most people and may prolong the life of your element and dissuade limescale build up elsewhere.

SoozyJ22 · 12 May 2008 at 12:34PM

Yeah, he did put something on the thread before screwing it in and I'll definitely be checking for leaks - so far so good though *crosses fingers*

Can you explain the electronic descaler in more detail for me please? Where does it go? How does it work? Anything that means I have to go through this hassle less often would be most welcome.

As a matter of interest both times I've had the element replaced it's gone after about 3 1/2 years, but there are some stickers on the tank saying that it once needed replacing after only 18 months. Roughly what kind of lifespan would be expected given I live in a hard water area? Thanks.

Canucklehead · 12 May 2008 at 12:58PM

Hi

It's the large fibre washer that seals the immersion, any sealant should be applied around that , not the threads .
There are 3 levels of immersion heater quality. Standard copper. Incaloy. Titanium.
Scale reducers are fitted to the incoming main. The best way of softening water is the resin bed type where you fill it with salt. A thread on MSE has about 5 millon posts on the subject.

Corgi Guy.

bookduck · 12 May 2008 at 1:00PM

Well last time I looked in another country you got 2 type of elements (a) normal one (b) stainless steel one This was in good old RSA, where the knowledgeable Canucklehead emanated from, so I believe

.

The limescale collects around the element and forms hot spots and is more likely to blow on this hotspots due to the heat not being transfered to the water.

Now theese electronic ones don't work for every one but here are some links below. There is also another system that uses magnets that you will find mentioned if your search within the forums. Think a water softener is a better item, but more £££.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=815437&highlight=scalewizard
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=158272&highlight=scalewizard
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=48098&highlight=scalewizard.

SoozyJ22 · 12 May 2008 at 1:18PM

You're right Canucklehead (nice name and avatar btw - I'm off there next week

) - it wasn't the threads themselves, but some other bit that may well have been the washer (I was worrying more about all the water on the floor than watching exactly what he was doing). I have a standard copper heater and presumably the same before.

I'll look into those descalers, thanks.

Canucklehead · 12 May 2008 at 1:24PM

bookduck wrote: »

Well last time I looked in another country you got 2 type of elements (a) normal one (b) stainless steel one This was in good old RSA, where the knowledgeable Canucklehead emanated from, so I believe .
[URL="http://"][/URL]

The clue to my nationality is in my name and avatar i.e. Canuck=Canadian and mapleleaf flag= Canadian flag ....so no, I'm not South African:D My OH, Corgi Guy, who posts under my username but signs his own posts as Corgi Guy is responsible for the good advice this time round.

Canucklehead

Canucklehead · 12 May 2008 at 1:27PM

SoozyJ22 wrote: »

You're right Canucklehead (nice name and avatar btw - I'm off there next week ) - it wasn't the threads themselves, but some other bit that may well have been the washer (I was worrying more about all the water on the floor than watching exactly what he was doing). I have a standard copper heater and presumably the same before.

I'll look into those descalers, thanks.

Hi..so are you off to Canada next week or South Africa?;) Regardless of destination, have a great time!

Canucklehead

How do I turn my water off to drain my hot water tank?

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