Immersion Tank Help Please!

ianandjody

Good Afternoon All,

I wanted to pick your brains regarding my Immersion Tank, and lack of hot water. We have over the last 2 days been having less and less hot water, more luke warm then cold. I am assuming that the heater element has gone.

My questions are related to this but also a general question about the tank as I think it is quite old now anyway. The Tank only feels warm (hot to touch on the top part (rounded top bit) and the rest is freezing, could this be an indication, that the element has gone? The element is at the top if this helps.

The tank I cant figure out, it has a top loading element, and a copper pipe (approx 1") into the top through to the loft. I can't see the inlet and outlet on the tank, only this one pipe, unless its hidden around the back out of view.

I also have a thread halfway down but with a plastic blanking plug on it, would this/should this be used for anything?

Lastly, is it easy to replace the element yourself? I am pretty confident and capable of most tasks, with plumbing and wiring (fitted new bathroom, soldered joints etc..) I realise that I will need a specific tool for the element thread. Or am I worth just calling a Plumber? or an electrician?

Any advice/suggestions would be appreciated

Many thanks

Ian

castlebest

It may be the element or the thermostat that controls the element. when an element goes you normally get a little water seeping back into the immersion heater housing.

TURN OFF THE POWER and remove the lid of the immersion heater you will find the thermostat, its normally a black plastic thing with a little screw on the top to adjust the heat setting, disconnect the wires from this and slide it out of the pocket,,,, look for signs of water.

If its dry its worth just getting a new thermostat from your plumbers merchants to replace the old one. If you find water in the housing or if the new thermostat doesn't work I would recommend you get a plumber to replace the whole immersion heater, its not an easy job they tend to be very well stuck in after a few years and the cylinder walls are quite thin.