Immersion Heaters

twopenny

Seems I have a pin hole leak in the immersion heater. The plumber discovered it when flushing the radiators and he had a powerful torch.

I've been offered 2 sorts, copper or stainless steel. I get that the satinless steel lasts longer but I'm getting on in years so longevity isn't really a worry.

Are there any opinions on which is better just on function? Does one hold or leak heat better than another? Grateful for any advice.

Keen to get it done even though he reckons it should be fine as it is for some time. As I've got an organised professional plumber after nightmares of trying to get them in the recent past I figure get it sorted while I have one and he's available, and I can relax.

DiddyDavies

Do you mean that it's the hot water tank that is leaking?
If so, is it a copper tank that you currently have and where exactly on the tank is the leak?

If it's accessible then ask the plumber if he would consider soldering up the hole.
I did this on a HW tank many years ago and it was still good when I moved out of the property 5 years later.

fenwick458

agreed. pin hole leaks can be fixed.
unfortunately a copper tank made in 1950 would probably outlast a copper tank made in 2020 so if you don't really need a new one don't get one. 

twopenny

The pinhole is towards the front of the base which is on a wooden plinth. The tank has one of these foam casings.

In order to work on this the tank would have to be removed so that would cost me .

There is also a 4" sq brownish stain on the front of the foam casing which I was keeping an eye on, maybe nothing, could be another problem. The tank has been left standing for most of 16yrs.

The difference in cost for repair or a new tank would be £100 so not huge in the scheme of things and for peace of mind. I went through both blizzards during the Beast with no heating and unable to dry anything wet, of 7 plumbers I rang none would get back to me so I'm keen never to experience that again.

coffeehound

If it can't be repaired . . do you know what caused the leak?  If it is due to acidic water, then a S-S tank would be preferable.

twopenny

Soft water from the moors here.

I'd say it's 20yrs old and been left with the weight of water as this is in the bottom. My neighbours immersion went last year. They were all built at the same time.

Also apparantly I had the thermostat up on the high side for summer and immersion but when the radiators were flushed and the system cleaned it 'boiled', you could hear it in the pipes. The airing cupboard has always been really hot, I would open the door to increase heat in the hall.

Since the flush it's all running beautifully quietly. He's shown me how to adjust settings on boiler and tank and explained it all.

chrisw

twopenny said:

Soft water from the moors here.

This is very acidic, although the water company will try to balance the pH out to around 6.5.

coffeehound

twopenny said:

Soft water from the moors here.

I'd say it's 20yrs old and been left with the weight of water as this is in the bottom. My neighbours immersion went last year. They were all built at the same time.

Also apparantly I had the thermostat up on the high side for summer and immersion but when the radiators were flushed and the system cleaned it 'boiled', you could hear it in the pipes. The airing cupboard has always been really hot, I would open the door to increase heat in the hall.

Since the flush it's all running beautifully quietly. He's shown me how to adjust settings on boiler and tank and explained it all.

Ah the high temperature will have exacerbated the effect of any acidity in the water, so that's good to hear that you now have things under control!  

If you go onto your water supplier's web site, it will let you enter the postcode and give you the details on your water, should you want to check the pH number, etc.

twopenny

I'll just go for it. Between the current situation which is going to keep us local for most of the year and age it's not a time to procrastinate.

It's a very good price. Take a deal when it's offered.

I've always been keen to save but it's going to be a while before I can do any sort of purchase for pleasure.

southcoastrgi

You will probably find that a stainless steel one is cheaper than copper anyway