Leaking Water Cylinder - Photos

kazzani

Hi,

I've never posted before, but read the forums a bit and subscribe to the newsletter.

I did a search on this subject, but most of the problems seemed to be about pipes connecting to the cylinder. My leak is at the bottom of the actual tank, I've only just noticed it by chance - it's not even dripping, just a dampnesss soaking into the wood frame that the cylinder sits on. Obviously I need to get this sorted before this damp soaks down into the floorboards and causes real problems. I have a photo but as I'm a new user it won't let me post links on this thread.

Is this something that is patchable, or will I need to get a new cylinder? Money is pretty tight at the minute. If I do need to get a new cylinder, is there anything I should bear in mind? I live in a one-bed first floor flat, the cylinder is in a built in cupboard in the kitchen. I have OFCH with an electric immersion heater for heating the water in summer. I have an electric shower so I only really heat the water to do dishes/cleaning.

Also, what I know about DIY, plumbing and anything practical could fit on the back of a postage stamp. Workmen/mechanics tend to see me coming a mile off... I hate being clueless!

Thanks
Kaz

wallbash

Well I dont want to worry you but :eek::eek:

You need to get it looked at fast , a cylinder is not fixed its replaced .

As to cost ,,,,,, :eek::eek:
I had mine done last week . I'm fairly handy round the house but because of the very restricted room and as i was doing a big upgrade ( header tank to be installed in loft)
I got a trusted heating engineer in. Am expecting to see a bill of £1000 , it was a two day job .

Sorry about the bad news.

Diesel44

Have you had a good look at the cylinder, look at all the pipe work closely and also the heating element. If it's got one of those lagging jackets, remove it, it must be leaking somewhere.

andyhop

Cylinder can be brazed to repair but by the time you pay for labour to remove, repair and refit you are better of going for new

36x18 indirect cylinders from PTS can be bought for £130+vat. Fitting should be possible in a day

border_collie

Can I just say, if there is the slightest possibility of it bursting open and pouring boiling water on some unsuspecting individual, please keep it switched off until replaced or fixed.

I would be treating this as urgent.

Pssst

Its perfectly possible to fix cylinder connections and similar. you could post pics on photobucket or similar and post link?

diable

What type of system do you have and is the tank an Ariston?

kazzani

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful.

I signed up to this photobucket thing - not sure what I'm doing so bear with me...

The tank has water seeping almost undetectably from a hole in the bottom - if I hadn't felt the damp I never would have noticed. But I got a torch and took some photos... the damp is seeping into the wooden frame it sits on which is now moulding/rotting, it hasn't reached very far yet but eventually it'll reach the floorboards so that's going to be a problem.

It's in a cupboard in the kitchen, the heating's off so there's no danger of scalding anyone! I don't know what type of system I have - how would I find out? There's a normal big copper cylinder which gets heated by the oil (or occasionally the immersion in summer). It all seems pretty bog standard to me.

It's saying I can't post links cos I'm a new user...

Can you find it with this information? Add the http bit infront...

i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/kazzani/Cylinder002.jpg
i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/kazzani/Cylinder001.jpg

elsien

http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/kazzani/Cylinder002.jpg
http://i568.photobucket.com/albums/ss127/kazzani/Cylinder001.jpg

wallbash

seeping almost undetectably from a hole in the bottom

I still think its a clear sign that the tank needs to be changed quickly .

Cylinder can be brazed to repair but by the time you pay for labour to remove, repair and refit you are better of going for new

Did not know that they can be repaired , would worry that a leaking tank, shows that even if the hole could be fixed general condition would still worry me.

Also quote by andyhop must be correct , would always require a new immersion. new Surrey flange , all new fittings etc etc which would start to add up

So its bad news , get a plumber ( better still get a couple ) to quote.

Wherryman

If you are really desperate and as a last resort you could try and do a temporary repair with some of this :- Araldite Plumbers Putty

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_187803_langId_-1_categoryId_165691

Just a warning if you do try this and it fails the leak may be a lot worse than before and you will have to drain down the tank fully ie. no hot water until you get a new tank!
This putty will stick to the tank even if it’s a bit wet but it must be really clean first otherwise it will just fall off.