Sorry, mods. I know this should be in DIY - BUT the viewing numbers here is much higher!! Please move to DIY, but could I have a few hours here to see if I can get a definitive answer to this?? Thanks!! ;)

My hot water tank has leaked and needs replacing - I reckon I could have a crack at the job (£80 an hour for a plumber is just stupid for this kind of job!) ....

.... anyone know where the 3 way valve needs to be positioned when draining the central heating system??

I assume that if the valve is on 'Hot Water Only' then the rads wouldn't need draining to just change over the tank??

Is there any way to empty the coil in the tank WITHOUT having to drain the WHOLE heating system??

The actual water IN the tank itself is easy enough to understand, its the water that goes through the boiler and/or the rads thats confusing me!!

Also, wheres the BEST place to buy a Hot Water Cylinder?? Anything to look out for?? Any hints/tips?? Buy a new Emmersion heater at the same time or re-use old one?? (old one has NEVER been used in 9 years - but, its an insurance policy isn't it?)

Cheers

Pete

.... anyone know where the 3 way valve needs to be positioned when draining the central heating system??

I assume that if the valve is on 'Hot Water Only' then the rads wouldn't need draining to just change over the tank??

Is there any way to empty the coil in the tank WITHOUT having to drain the WHOLE heating system??

The actual water IN the tank itself is easy enough to understand, its the water that goes through the boiler and/or the rads thats confusing me!!

Also, wheres the BEST place to buy a Hot Water Cylinder?? Anything to look out for?? Any hints/tips?? Buy a new Emmersion heater at the same time or re-use old one?? (old one has NEVER been used in 9 years - but, its an insurance policy isn't it?)


That's why you pay a plumber 80/hr....he knows the answers ;)

Pete,

With the greatest respect, you really don't sound as though you know what you are doing. I know plumbers charge an arm and a leg but they should do the job properly and should know what they are doing and that should be backed by insurance. I certainly wouldn't mess about with gas, water and pressure in my house.

If it is just the hot water tank that need replacing, save yourself some money by buying a replacement tank before you call the plumber out. That way he can only charge you for doing actual work rather than going shopping.

P.S. I can't answer yor questions, sorry.

Cheers

Ian

Read the dimensions off the side of the tank eg.450x900 and I will try to give you a idea of the cost of the tank and how much to fit it. BTW it is not really a DIY proposition, don't take this the wrong way but the questions you asked suggest a bit of a nightmare if you attemped it yourself.

Mog

Hows it going Pete - flooded the place yet?!?!?

His next post could be a classic........

Thanks for all the confidence boosting info!! ;)

Had I not known the questions to ask I would agree that I wouldn't be up to the job - but, come on now, its 4 connections on a round piece of copper .................. what could possibly go wrong??

The Cylinder is a 1050 x 450 ..... grade 3 ..... ref 8, about £100 I think??

To the plumbers - whats the labour in it?? My brother took 3 hours to do it, but it was his first time.

What about if I drain down and disconnect everything, get the tank in - what would a plumber want then??

Cheers

Pete

I could tell you but then I'd have to kill you ;)
But seriously pete judging by your questions sounds like you could end up making a bigger mess trying to do it yourself and paying out even more to a pro (plumber that is) to fix it and the mess you've made.

[Edited by mattstant - 8/25/2003 11:40:32 PM]

Come on now - you aren't talking to an IT geek now you know!!!!! You are talking to someone who did a 5 year apprenticeship and cut his teeth in welding/soldering/milling/wiring!!!!!!!!!!!

All needs to be done is the water needs to be all drained down (I dont know where to put the 3 way valve is all!!).

The old tank unbolted, or indeed, CUT out of the airing cupboard.

New tank purchased and fitted.

Bleed the systems, primary and secondary.

Now, I ask you, is THAT worth £80 an hour??!!

NO it isn't!!! Not when I can have my very own Nuclear Warhead Designer do it for me!!!! :D

Pete

4 years hnc in building construction 20 plus years expereince designing building and selling houses
complete kitchen fit to my own house plus numeruos radiators drained replaced and replumbed and i would still rather leave a tank replacement to a pro.

Sorry pete not trying to belittle you in any way its just that from personal experience doing it myself running backwards and forwards from merchants because you havent got quite the right tool or fitting and working till 2am in the morning every weekend for about three months you start to realise why the pros charge so much

Pete..most plumbers don't charge £80ph unless it is out of hours in which case it becomes reasonable. What you are paying for is the years of experience if it all does go pear shaped and the plumber having the tools and know how to put it right.

Mog

Looks good now - just been contacted by a new plumber just starting out ..... he has just finished his course and will help me do the job - he will bring the tools and will treat it as an experience gathering exercise and will charge accordingly!!

Result?? we shall see!! Stay peeled for the results!! in 2 weeks time as I am on hols next Sunday!!

Pete

pete - for someone who claims to earn so much you seem hell bent on saving every last penny!

Hi

If you still need it done let me know.

JIM

Seems to be sorted now - took us 7 hours mind you!! :eek:

Now I know what to do its a piece of cake - only hard part is if you get leaks and need to drain down again!!

Pete

It was the first job I undertook on my own after buying this house, some 15 years ago. I replaced a primatic feed cylinder with a standard one, and put the c/h header in the loft.

Only mistake I made was buying the new cylinder from Wickes: it leaked, and had to go back. The manager said it was the 4th one they'd had back, and did I want another!images/smilies/mad.gif

I bought a better one from Plumb Centre, but had to alter all the connection spacings again. Wot a pain!
Alcazar

PS: since then, I've not looked back, I've done boilers for 3 people including myself, and numerous rads, kitchens, bathrooms etc. Plumbing is easy if you are reasonably intelleigent, and confident.
A

Plumbing is easy if you are reasonably intelleigent, and confident
Spelling not important... ;)

Glad you're sorted Pete :D

Quote:, I've done boilers for 3 people including myself

I hope your Corgi Reg then??
If not your breaking the law.!!

I was thinking about doing this myself - can you usually get a same model direct replacement - mines about 10 years old.

Where do they typically put the make and model ?

T.