Draining an IMMERSION heater cylinder

[jennyray]

I have a duel element emersion heater with a boost at the top and off peak at the bottom.
The cold water feed is a tank in the loft.
Recently I replaced the top element which is working fine now. However, it would have been simple if it wasn't for the tank still being full of water when I removed the top element, even though I turned off the water to the whole house then turned on cold and hot water taps until they ran dry.

I now want to replace the bottom element but I'm scared I will flood the house.
Has anyone got any idea why the hot water taps ran dry but there was still water in the tank?

The cold water feed to emersion heater is stuck solid that's why I turned it off to whole house.

Thanks

 

[flameport]

Cold water goes in at the bottom of the cylinder, hot water out of the top.
Just turning taps on will only remove what's in the loft tank and in the pipes, the cylinder will still be completely full of water.
There should be a drain point on the pipe that goes into the bottom of the cylinder, connect a hose to that and drain the water out there.

The cold water feed to emersion heater is stuck solid

Replace that at the same time. It will be required when the cylinder leaks or a hot tap needs to be replaced/repaired.

 

[oldbuffer]

If the drain point doesn't work (and they often don't):
1. Disconnect the hot water outlet at the very top top of the cylinder.
2. Poke a hosepipe through the opening to the bottom of the cylinder,.
3. Syphon the water out.
The above assumes you have already shut off the cold water inlet to the bottom of the cylinder.