water level in HWC after I drain the hot water taps/showers?

[hgee1205]

Hi
This is my first post as a homeowner/DIYer
Hopefully the title explains my question ; I want to replace the washer on an Essex flange as the flange is leaking, and plan to use a plug to block the cold water tank , then open all the hot taps and showers until water stops flowing( standard gravity fed system)
I have included a photo of the tank showing the flange ;

2 shower heads are fed from the flange and pipes run up into the loft and down into the bathrooms;the showerheads sit above the level of the top of the hot water cylinder ; the hot water taps are all below the level of the top of the HWC.
I would value an opinion as to where the water level will be in the HWC when the taps/heads have stopped running?
Will all the water drain from the pipes leaving the HWC or not? If so , where is the water level likely to be in the HWC?
I know I have to drain the HWC to below the level of the flange ( with a drill pump as there is no drainplug on the HWC)I just want to be prepared when I undo the joint at the top of the tank!
Any advice and opinions welcome
thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Normally the cylinder is not worth repairing when they leak time for a change

But drain it from the Essex flange eg turn the gate valve off (cold water to the cylinder)

Turn the Essex flange gate valve off

Open the shower supplied by the pump

Undo the nut on the gate valve with a towel below just incase

Then use a hoselock adapter eg 1/2-3/4 and the 3/4 nipple onto the gate valve thread

Hose pipe on the end outside and open the gate valve

 

[hgee1205]

Hi Shaun
Thanks for the reply

I know a new tank is the best option but I want to try the easy option first as a new tank sounds a lot more complicated than trying to fix the leak at least for the time being as we plan to move house ( I would not be a rat and leave a leaking valve just to clear that up)

Your plan sounds good to me but I have a few questions;

I have had dodgy gate valves which leak after use so to avoid leaks , will using a monument expanding plug in the CWT do the same as turning off the valve at the CWT?

Do I still open all the hot taps to drain as much water as possible before opening the flange gatevalve nut?

Thanks

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Yes and yes you can do

They have packing nuts on them as if they do leak a nip up should sort it

 

[hgee1205]

Hi
thanks again
Something strange has happened over the last few days
I have been putting dishes under the tank to collect water and for the last two days the amount of water leaking has reduced by at least half?
I think that the leak may be due to a fibre/cork? washer of the Essex flange which has started to disintegrate over time , anyhow i have not touched the joint but the leak has reduced ; I don't know why?

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Scaled up should seal up aslong as it’s not disturbed

 

[hgee1205]

Has been leaking since about June! ( was a coward and waiting for wasps to die in the loft before going up to block the CWT!! which has now happened)
The rate of leak has been the same for all this time , about 2 litres a day caught by containers.until the last few days ; this morning seems virtually dry!!
Interesting you think scale as I live in N Ayrshire where the water is supposed to be v soft?

 

[hgee1205]

I bought some LS X and if it dries up I may smear it gently around the flange to prevent a repeat?