The Genius of Milliput:
Saved us £100's - and negates need for new immersion tank.
This is more of a report on a success rather than a request for help now.
Briefly:
1. Bought a new house: amongst many other problems, the thermostat kept failing in the immersion tank. (evidence of an on-going problem as there were 3 "dead ones" on the floor in cupboard).
2. So I "Bit the Bullet" and bought whole a new elements unit to replace old one.
(a kindly friend who is a truly clever builder/fixer/plumber/electrician offered to help)
3. Whilst trying to fit the new element unit - which has a brass head-shell - it simply wouldn't fit back into the (copper) housing in the top of the immersion tank: the thread of the (softer) copper had detoriated, and try as we might, we could get it back in and "catch the grooves" of the screw thread.
(We considered we'd have to buy a new immersion tank. ( copper, Indirect, 27 inch. Approx £300-£400)
4. "Forget That!" I thought, I'll force the head-shell around and it can self-tap into the soft copper. So, with liberal use of PTFE tape and careful turning. It went down and settled reasonably well. We filled the system again, and not surprisingly, the water seeped out of the housing.
5. One last idea: I remembered that Milllput had saved the day with another plumbing disaster once before. We did the same exercise, forcing the headshell of the unit down as far as it would go, then very carefully moulded Milliput around the headshell. Left it to set and crossed my fingers.
6. Turned off all the water into the tank and left it over-night.
7. Woke this morning, turned the water on, filled the tank. BINGO! Turned on the power for hot water. Still bone dry.
Please see photo attached.
I can see no reason why won't do for until we have the problem of having to replace the element? But we are in South Devon, so rather soft water environment. So should be fine for some years.
Any (sensible) views from out there?
http://www.scarlet-design.co.uk/myfiles/private/ImmersionTank_2869.jpg
Saved us £100's - and negates need for new immersion tank.
This is more of a report on a success rather than a request for help now.
Briefly:
1. Bought a new house: amongst many other problems, the thermostat kept failing in the immersion tank. (evidence of an on-going problem as there were 3 "dead ones" on the floor in cupboard).
2. So I "Bit the Bullet" and bought whole a new elements unit to replace old one.
(a kindly friend who is a truly clever builder/fixer/plumber/electrician offered to help)
3. Whilst trying to fit the new element unit - which has a brass head-shell - it simply wouldn't fit back into the (copper) housing in the top of the immersion tank: the thread of the (softer) copper had detoriated, and try as we might, we could get it back in and "catch the grooves" of the screw thread.
(We considered we'd have to buy a new immersion tank. ( copper, Indirect, 27 inch. Approx £300-£400)
4. "Forget That!" I thought, I'll force the head-shell around and it can self-tap into the soft copper. So, with liberal use of PTFE tape and careful turning. It went down and settled reasonably well. We filled the system again, and not surprisingly, the water seeped out of the housing.
5. One last idea: I remembered that Milllput had saved the day with another plumbing disaster once before. We did the same exercise, forcing the headshell of the unit down as far as it would go, then very carefully moulded Milliput around the headshell. Left it to set and crossed my fingers.
6. Turned off all the water into the tank and left it over-night.
7. Woke this morning, turned the water on, filled the tank. BINGO! Turned on the power for hot water. Still bone dry.
Please see photo attached.
I can see no reason why won't do for until we have the problem of having to replace the element? But we are in South Devon, so rather soft water environment. So should be fine for some years.
Any (sensible) views from out there?
http://www.scarlet-design.co.uk/myfiles/private/ImmersionTank_2869.jpg
