Immersion heater stuck on cylinder

[jase158]

Hi all wen to a flat today, they had a problem with the cylinder immersion heater, I drained down and went to replace but it wouldnt come off, any body got any ideas on how to get it off or is it a complete replacement.

This is the ariston unvented cylinder.

before anybody mentions, I tried replacing thermostat but when I did this, smoke came out of it.

Basically I think it has rusted so bad that it has rusted on and rusted a hole through the heater/ themostat.

Also is it under warranty or is it only the cylinder that is under warranty?

 

[armourer]

I would check with the manufacturer about the warrenty first but if its not covered try getting your blow torch on it and heat it up.

Or use a bit of 15mm copper over the tommy bar of the immersion spanner to give you move leverage.

Make sure you explain to the customer that there is a possibility the cylinder could be damaged.
Otherwise they will be claiming its your fault.

 

[jase158]

Yeah thats what I thought, problem is the cstomer is in Brighton, 150 miles away from me, so I think she might be a problem. I have simply said it will need replacing as I tried pushing really hard and using a hammer with no joy.

 

[Gray0689]

I agree heat is the best way

 

[helpsy]

You'll need to buy from the manufacturer as its an unvented item and not just any off the shelf unit.

 

[jase158]

You'll need to buy from the manufacturer as its an unvented item and not just any off the shelf unit.

Thats what I thought as the washer was rubber instead of the fibre washer, although apart from that they looked pretty similar, bit of a pain to be honest.

 

[Ivor Bates]

You can buy any hot water heating element, from the Electric Water Heating Company next day delivery, just make sure you give them the correct information which should be on the side of the cylinder....

 

[Ian10261]

I always use a flat immerion spanner as i think cranked one can tend to distort the boss if you're not careful. If it doesn't move try giving the spanner a short sharp shock with a lump hammer. Sounds really crude but you've less chance of trashing the cylinder doing it this way.

 

[Destroyer2813]

Think the warrenty is 25 years tank (model dependent) 2 years fittings, agree flat immersion and i use my tap box spanner for extra leverage and heat

 

[gaspastemania]

I had this few years ago , tried heating it up then using a hammer to tap sides to hopefully loosen up the threads no joy !!
Ended up wrecking the cylinder to get it out lol then said to cust need new cylinder , they saw me struggling hto and knew possibilty of new cylinder

 

[Ian10261]

I had this few years ago , tried heating it up then using a hammer to tap sides to hopefully loosen up the threads no joy !!
Ended up wrecking the cylinder to get it out lol then said to cust need new cylinder , they saw me struggling hto and knew possibilty of new cylinder

I always warn em about the possibility before i set to on it, but i always worry incase you get some idiot who decides to be awkward if you do ruin it.

 

[jase158]

Got an email today from the customer.

"I had a second plumber come around and give me a second opinion I went to the flat with him and assessed the so-called-work you thought needed doing. You mentioned leaks?? The only leaks that were there were the ones you didn’t tighten and left leaking! As a result of you leaving the top immersion heater loose now means the bottom one now has to be replaced where it has been dripped on. I would also like to add that work is completely fixable and doesn’t require a new tank so I’m not sure how you came to this conclusion. As a result of the unsatisfactory work I will not be paying this invoice and your lucky I haven’t reported your terrible workmanship"

I rung her up and she did not listen to me or even let me speak, she did however say that it had cost her £200 instead of the £1400 that I had quoted for replacing the tank.

So my opinion is that she doesnt want to pay for my work because I did not fix it even though I tried. And making up the leaks. it was nearly a week ago and she is saying that is was pouring out.

In a 1st floor flat there would be a lot of damage, however she never mentioned any damage what so ever.

I clearly told her that the immersion heater was leaking although now it is my fault.

The bottom immersion heater was the one that was causing the problem and now suddenly I have caused the problem that was already there.

Now I am after an opinion, is she just not wanting to pay me or am I to blame?

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Are you qualified in unvented?
How often do you under take these type of jobs, is it a fairly common occurence that the immersion gets stuck on them.

Are you sure you didnt do any damage?

If you can answer all that and still feel confident about what you did then go after her and try to get your money back as at the end of the day you are a tradesman trying to run a business and you dont need twits like this ruining your day

 

[jase158]

Not bothered about the money, I know it is money at end of day but theres more to life then £60.

However the thing is that she was so rude and obnoxious that it got m wound up, I simply want to know if she was in the right or me.

I guess its one of those things that you will just never know.

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Yep her email sounds rude, but its hard to judge tone in text or email, she should have spoken to you on the phone.

Perhaps just let it go mate, you cant win them all

 

[dame-edna]

also depends on which immersion spanner you got, the cranked ones are pony and are waste of time ive had same problem alot of times until i brought a giant pair of cresent grips they fit the nut lovely and dont buckle the cylinder hope this helps

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

Where did you get them from?

 

[GasmanxxxR1]

I use box spanner myself

 

[dame-edna]

box spanner saves cutting the insulation away i guess, but i get more purchace with my big grips so works for me, the flat or cranked spanners are no fun gettin an old heater out..

 

[dame-edna]

and the giant cresents were my local shop in cambs but im sure they must be online though dude

 

[tamz]

A more experienced plumber probably.

I wish i could get £1400 to swap a cylinder. Not a bad profit for 2hrs work.

Sometimes i use these if an immersion is tight
http://www.knipex.com/fileadmin/sit...s/KNIPEX/Produktfotos/web/zoom/870156014k.jpg
22" long and open up to a bit over 4"
or sometimes i'll use a hammer and screwdriver if i can't be bothered walking to the van:shocked3:

 

[BLOD]

It would only have taken her about 2 minutes on google to work out a new cylinder could be had for around £500, so quite understandable if she thinks you were trying to shaft her !

 

[Stokeplumber]

Best way to remove a stubborn emersion element is to use a drill with just hammer drill action on it , works in seconds and never once damaged a flange using this method , hope this helps somebody 🙂

 

[tamz]

Best way to remove a stubborn emersion element is to use a drill with just hammer drill action on it , works in seconds and never once damaged a flange using this method , hope this helps somebody 🙂

Now thats a new one :smile:

Never failed to get one out yet but sometimes it has been a struggle

 

[PlumbersMate]

How can you use a drill? I'm confused

 

[PlumbBobBob]

How can you use a drill? I'm confused

i'm guessing it will be a sds drill on rotorstop so you have the hammering action without rotation, to kick the immersion round.

 

[stevetheplumber]

ive only had one that i can remember that didnt come out without damaging the cylinder i find the cranked cast iron monument spanner the best tool plus club hammer and heat

 

[lame plumber]

and leave the cylinder full before you wack the spanner