Damaged Immersion Heater

[patchrenfrew]

Hello All,

I have swapped out the element in my old immersion heater today.

However, in doing so I have damaged the polyurethene foam at the top of the boiler where it meets the nut.

This has resulted in a small leak.

Can the foam be repaired without having to completely replace the boiler?

Can I use some sort of foam filler?

 

[Agile]

Its not a boiler its a hot water cylinder.

The foam is insulation and not to hold water in.

If you scrape it off to reveal the leakage it MIGHT be possible for a skilled person to solder or braze it to effect a repair.

I would always replace it for a customer unless its on the ground floor when I might try a repair after warning the customer it might start to leak again at any time.

Tony

 

[patchrenfrew]

Its not a boiler its a hot water cylinder.

The foam is insulation and not to hold water in.

If you scrape it off to reveal the leakage it MIGHT be possible for a skilled person to solder or braze it to effect a repair.

I would always replace it for a customer unless its on the ground floor when I might try a repair after warning the customer it might start to leak again at any time.

Tony

Thanks for your reply

Its an old immersion heater and there is a small leak at the top of the water cylinder, do you have an idea what may have cause this?

Is it possible I have not tightened the element enough?

 

[kevplumb]

Is it possible I have not tightened the element enough?

yup its possible a smear of jointing paste on the washer won't hurt either

also where the faces clean before you fitted the new immersion

 

[patchrenfrew]

Is it possible I have not tightened the element enough?

yup its possible a smear of jointing paste on the washer won't hurt either

also where the faces clean before you fitted the new immersion

When I put the new element in and tightened it the filled the boiler back up there was a small leak coming out at the top.

Not sure about faces mate

 

[patchrenfrew]

Is it possible I have not tightened the element enough?

yup its possible a smear of jointing paste on the washer won't hurt either

also where the faces clean before you fitted the new immersion

When I put the new element in and tightened it the filled the boiler back up there was a small leak coming out at the top.

Not sure about faces mate

Can I show you this picture at this link?

http://www.ultimatehandyman.co.uk/plumb_immersion_heater.htm

Its the nut at number 6 where it fits to the water cylinder, when I fit it there is a small leak coming out

 

[kevplumb]

yeah thats the immersion heater

faces as in joint faces

if they ain't clean it ain't gonna seal

you did fit the washer didn't you

 

[patchrenfrew]

yeah thats the immersion heater

faces as in joint faces

if they ain't clean it ain't gonna seal

you did fit the washer didn't you

I forgot to put the washer on

I will give the joint faces a clean and user the jointing paste you mentioned/

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

 

[kevplumb]

I forgot to put the washer on icon_confused.gif

you great steamin willy

 

[Agile]

I forgot to put the washer on

I will give the joint faces a clean and user the jointing paste you mentioned/

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

To make it easier for whoever has to deal with it next I would ask you NOT to use any jointing paste.

Instead use silicone grease on both sides of the washer and also on both male and female threads.

Tony

 

[muggles]

I forgot to put the washer on

I will give the joint faces a clean and user the jointing paste you mentioned/

Thanks for your help, it is appreciated.

To make it easier for whoever has to deal with it next I would ask you NOT to use any jointing paste.

Instead use silicone grease on both sides of the washer and also on both male and female threads.

Tony

Interesting concept Tony, how do you work that one out? As long as it's a non-setting jointing paste there should be no problem

 

[Nige F]

Not boss white then that sets rock hard and you`ll need a blowlamp next time . Come on guys this is 21st century little britain - do you really expect to go into a merchants and ask for a non-setting jointing compound - and the clowns to know what you mean . Your Agile bashing is on thin ice I thought you`d have better technical points to pick him up on

 

[muggles]

Not bashing him at all, just intrigued as to the reason why he's against using jointing paste

 

[Agile]

Because, as Nigel says, all you are going to buy for plumbing is setting jointing paste. Can you even find one listed in most catalogues?

I used to be able to buy "non setting gasket goo" but thats no longer easily available now that CH gaskets are copper or multi layer steel.

The original suggestion did not even mention NON-setting jointing paste.

Silicone grease has two important functions in sealing an immersion element. The most important one is lubrication!

Tony