Corrosion issue in immersion heater

[Barbs706]

All the fittings and the thread for the immersion are stainless !

That`s the answer - you got a stainless tank - so need a compatible immersion thermostat phial

Ahh OK! So I've been wasting my money away on the wrong thermostat! Does screw fix or b&q sell the correct one for a stainless tank? Two nights without hot water is kind of a pain!

 

[Nige F]

I doubt if a diy shed would sell them - the elements are fine , it`s the copper thermostat pocket that , as you know , corrodes - . BUT the pocket is part of the heater - nothing to do with the thermostat which just slips into the pocket/phial : If you google :- immersion heater (stainless steel cylinder) advanced - you`ll see an ad. for the company selling the correct one - pictured, and a helpline for any queries etc. I`ve just done this and can see from the picture , and the price that it`s got a stainless steel thermo pocket . I can`t do links etc I`m just a simple plumber Thanks due to swbjackson who said stainless cylinder/stainless pocket earlier in the thread -

 

[Agile]

I am surprised it took so long to realise the cause!

About three months ago I posted about the need for a non copper immersion element in steel cylinders.

The cyl makers do warn about this in their installation instructions.

Who fitted your cylinder???

Tony

 

[Barbs706]

It was newly fitted when I bought the house about 6 months ago so I don't know. I'm pretty annoyed the previous plummer who fitted my second one didn't realise though. Ahh well. Now I know! I can't believe screw fix are selling steel tanks without selling a compatible immersion. Thanks to all that have helped!

 

[Agile]

It also suprises me too about SF not selling them!

But they are available from plumber's merchants.

It just adds to my poor view of plumber's that yours did not realise the cause. I would even wonder if very many would.

 

[tim00]

On balance, i'd go with the first reply of akward, that its an Earth fault.

Failing to get a meter across it, perhaps the OP could Off all power, and physically check and tighten-up at the isolator, the programmer, and at the C/U.

Is a water softener in-situ? Is there any galv. steel in the water service?

A definitive answer would be helpful to all of us i would imagine.

Dan's comment is interesting, in that i've seen many domestic, US water heaters that have been "cleaned-out" with chlorine, bleach and other chemicals, yet the w/h's body or stat's suffered no harm because all US w/h's have anode rods ( magnesium or alu. ) installed. The anodes are essentially to protect against chemicals in the incoming water.

Perhaps i'm wrong, but the UK situation for cylinders that c/w anodes seems to be a bit spotty.

AAMOI: I've also seen aggressive, residential sewer fumes turn thin wall cu. into a green fabric.

 

[Nige F]

I am surprised it took so long to realise the cause!

About three months ago I posted about the need for a non copper immersion element in steel cylinders.


Tony

I remembered that

 

[tim00]

Just noticed that i missed pages 2 and 3 info. I thought page one contained all the posting. It's this bl..y altzheimer's.

 

[Agile]

Tim, you also forgot that you could edit out your bloopers!

 

[Barbs706]

Just ordered the one reccomended from advance water company ltd. I went to all my local plumming shops including plumbase, coopers, b&q and screwfix and no one was aware you have to have a compatible heater for strainless tanks. Unreal!

 

[Agile]

It does not surprise me about B&Q and SF but I would have thought that Plumbase would have known.

My local City Plumbing did not either!

But out of those firms only SX sells the steel cylinders that take the standard size immersion. They really ought to know and to stock the correct one and ideally to warn customers who buy them knowing that many dont read the installation instructions.

Tony

 

[Nige F]

Just ordered the one reccomended from advance water company ltd. I went to all my local plumming shops including plumbase, coopers, b&q and screwfix and no one was aware you have to have a compatible heater for strainless tanks. Unreal!

Unfortunately it`s all too real The industry is a joke , unregulated ( apart from gas) and the clowns behind the Trade Counters , not to mention the Monkeys delivering with 7 ton box vans - breaking half the stuff . Only those who started in the early 70`s will remember how much better it used to be in the merchant`s . And no computers !

 

[tim00]

Nige,

I agree with your observations, except for regulating the industry - i'm dead against regulating almost anything.
But to go to a trade counter and be,in effect, insulted by insolent, inefficient, ignorant half-wits is a common experience - and that after waiting in a computer-glitched line, after having been lied to on the phone, prior to the journey.

I've actually seen women, minorities and nervous householders be the butt of the counter crew's flippancies.

We had some Asians take on a builders supply near me, and at first they were terrific at customer service - accurate,attentive and helpful. Now, they are just like the rest with a take it or leave it, whatever attitude.

 

[Agile]

I was slightly annoyed when a young Asian girl in Tool Station chose to serve an older Asian couple before me.

They told her that I was first and she reluctantly served me!

After I was served I was a little slow to leave and heard her talking to them in Hindi and they obviously knew her and were asking how long she had worked there for.

Now I dont know if she wanted to serve them first because they were Asian or ( more likely ) because they knew her!

All that was particularly annoying because apart from that instance I have always found Tool Station staff to be far more friendly and helpful compared to the next door Screwfix.