soldering a hwc ; is it practical?

[hgee1205]

Hello
I have a problem with a leaking Essex flange mentioned previously.I have tried various fixes but it always starts weeping again. I may be moving and dont want to have a new tank fitted but want to make the valve watertight
The HWC can be drained so I can get the valve joint dry to try to fix ; I have found that the large nut which tightens the valve against the tank is seized solid so I cannot undo or tighten it and also the washer has perished ;I am using Loktite 55 bound tight and epoxy putty which has helped but not solved the leak
So I wondered how practical it would be to solder the large nut in place ; I can push the seized nut flush with the tank surface and wondered if I held it there I could try soldering it in place
I have only used circuit solder not plumbing solder ; does plumb solder have a similar melting point or not?
could I use an iron or do I need to use a flame? I would obviously prefer an iron if possible for safety reasons
Thanks for any tips on this

 

[Roy_66]

Any chance of adding a picture to help with comments about the best way to repair. Also is the tank covered in stuck on foam or older type without foam?

If you haven't soldered plumbing before then try some representative scrap on the bench. The bigger/chunkier the components the more torch power you will need. The art is to get it in the sweet spot temperature wise to get a melt, but not overheating it. Everything needs first taking to bits and cleaning and fluxing before you start, and you don't want any non metal components in there whilst soldering e.g. rubber etc

Cheers,

Roy (amateur)

 

[gmartine]

It's possible but if you haven't soft soldered with a flame before I strongly advise not starting with that or you could make a right mess.

Have you tried a non-setting compound like Boss White? Clean out the gap as best you can and pack out the gap with say PTFE tape and Boss White or hemp & paste. A hard setting repair putty isn't going to work on something you can't access directly and Loctite 55 is for sealing a thread not a gap. Otherwise if not too serious leave for new owners.

 

[hgee1205]

Any chance of adding a picture to help with comments about the best way to repair. Also is the tank covered in stuck on foam or older type without foam?

If you haven't soldered plumbing before then try some representative scrap on the bench. The bigger/chunkier the components the more torch power you will need. The art is to get it in the sweet spot temperature wise to get a melt, but not overheating it. Everything needs first taking to bits and cleaning and fluxing before you start, and you don't want any non metal components in there whilst soldering e.g. rubber etc

Cheers,

Roy (amateur)

It's possible but if you haven't soft soldered with a flame before I strongly advise not starting with that or you could make a right mess.

Have you tried a non-setting compound like Boss White? Clean out the gap as best you can and pack out the gap with say PTFE tape and Boss White or hemp & paste. A hard setting repair putty isn't going to work on something you can't access directly and Loctite 55 is for sealing a thread not a gap. Otherwise if not too serious leave for new owners.
View attachment 75595

Any chance of adding a picture to help with comments about the best way to repair. Also is the tank covered in stuck on foam or older type without foam?

If you haven't soldered plumbing before then try some representative scrap on the bench. The bigger/chunkier the components the more torch power you will need. The art is to get it in the sweet spot temperature wise to get a melt, but not overheating it. Everything needs first taking to bits and cleaning and fluxing before you start, and you don't want any non metal components in there whilst soldering e.g. rubber etc

Cheers,

Roy (amateur)

Hi
Thanks for the replies
I will attach pics of the valve ; this is before and after using Loktite 55 then aqua epoxy putty on top .I was annoyed after all this that water still finds its way out at the bottom ; it still drips but is wicked away with a piece of sponge cloth and is manageable at present

At first I used ptfe tape wrapped tight in the gap which left a constant slow drip
I then covered in LS-X which I thought would sort it but the water eventually forced its way out of the silicone - bugger!

Boss white is about the only thing I have not tried!!
Guess it might be worth trying Boss white where the water weeps at the bottom ; can it be applied wet or do I need to drain down again?
Will boss white take the water pressure in the tank OK?

I guess I could get a plumber to try soldering the valve in place for me?

Thanks again and any further tips welcome

 

[hgee1205]

Hi
Thanks for the replies
I will attach pics of the valve ; this is before and after using Loktite 55 then aqua epoxy putty on top .I was annoyed after all this that water still finds its way out at the bottom ; it still drips but is wicked away with a piece of sponge cloth and is manageable at present

At first I used ptfe tape wrapped tight in the gap which left a constant slow drip
I then covered in LS-X which I thought would sort it but the water eventually forced its way out of the silicone - bugger!

Boss white is about the only thing I have not tried!!
Guess it might be worth trying Boss white where the water weeps at the bottom ; can it be applied wet or do I need to drain down again?
Will boss white take the water pressure in the tank OK?

I guess I could get a plumber to try soldering the valve in place for me?

Thanks again and any further tips welcomeView attachment 75600View attachment 75601View attachment 75602

Sorry forgot to ask ; I knew about hemp but cant find it anywhere
Can it still be bought?
Also if so what paste would you use with it?
thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Boss white and yes you can still get hemp

Drain down and j b weld it ?

 

[hgee1205]

Boss white and yes you can still get hemp

Drain down and j b weld it ?

Hi
JB is interesting idea ; I have tried Devcon epoxy resin which did not work but I see the JB is a different type of product. However , I have just used Aqua epoxy putty as you can see and wonder if is maybe similar?
Could I try boss white over the putty where it leaks?

I did not look carefully ; I see hemp sealing kits on Amazon and screwfix; can someone recommend a product that may work
thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

The key is you need to drain the cylinder down and coat the whole thing eg including the nut and threads, leave the cylinder empty until it’s dry

 

[hgee1205]

The key is you need to drain the cylinder down and coat the whole thing eg including the nut and threads, leave the cylinder empty until it’s dry

Hi
You mean when using the JB weld right?
Don't forget I cant tighten the nut up to the tank as its seized solid so all I can do is push the nut up against the tank until whatever I use is set!

PS will boss white seal the weeping leak or not if applied over the top?
Appreciate the help

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Either do you have play in the nut eg can move it ?

No boss white and hemp you would need to strip the Essex flange