Another boiler banger prob can U advise a wee Scots lass?

[Leanjeanp]

Hi I have an Howden hot water boiler which when I put my immersion heater on keeps making a banging noise, I have just replaced the valve in my cold water tank as water was coming from my overflow pipe thats ok now, so how do I solve this one. Do I need to open my water valve more that goes into my tank? thsi is a red handled tap and I was told by a man at work not to touch that but its the only one that goes into my tank? Can U advise me anyone, its a nightmare trying to get a plumber here in Stirling, plus so expensive, I don't think its a major prob so I'm hoping ot tackle it myself. I reckon there's not enough water getting into the tank, but ... could be wrong for once

 

[oilman]

OK, this might be a bit drawn out as I can't find any info about your unit. There are a couple of things to try. first is does the banging only happen when the immersion heater is on? Is the flow from the tap about normal?

If the flow is adequate, then I would think there is enough water in the tank. The heater may be banging because of scale on it. Is it like normal immersion heaters, ie a U shape?

Does this unit have a header tank, or is it an unvented cylinder?

 

[Leanjeanp]

Hi I think the water flow is OK and yes it does only bang when I put the immersion heater. I have electric storage heating, and the boiler is made by a firm in Lanarkshire. Sorry havent a clue what your last two objects are. it says on the tank Hercules direct copper cylinder, with a red Howden electric heater at the bottom of tank. thats all I can see. The tank is in a cupboartd with the cold water tank above on a shelf, how would I descale it? thanks for any help!!

 

[oilman]

The last two objects are types of hot water tanks. The unvented one has a supply direct from the mains, and has valves all over the place. The unvented tank has the supply from a cold water tank, which unds like yours.

The bit to check is the immersion heater. As it's at the bottom, you will need to turn off the supply from the cold tank to the hot tank, if you can't do that tie the ballcock up in the cold water tank so it doesn't let any water in.

Next open a drain cock which should be somewhere around the bottom of the tank, and drain all the water out.

Turn off the electric supply to the immersion heater, remove the fuse and disconnect the wires from the heater. Put the ends in a connector block so thingh are safe if somehow the supply gets turned on again.

You need a spanner to undo the immersion heater. It's BIG! and if you can find one I suggest you get a cast iron one as you can hit them with a mallet to move the heater. You also need a washer so you can put the heater back and seal it again. Some silicone sealer would be useful on each side of the washer.

You may find theres a lot of debris in the bottom of the tank when you take the heater out. Use a wet vacuum cleaner to remove it. If there is debris up to the heater, that's the cause of the problem. As you've gone to all this trouble so far, I would fit a new heater, or you might have to do all this again soon.

 

[Leanjeanp]

Thank you so much for all your help. I did a bit of research on-line at work and its as you say I need to replace the immersion element, I have actually seen the same one as mine on the Howden website and it not expensive, but as for doing it myself, I reckon not brave enough to tackle a job like that yet, must say its all very interestig thsi plumbing stuff! So I will check out a quote from an heating engineer or plumber when I get back from my hols. Thanks so much again, its good to know the basics so at leaset they can't tell U its a major prob and try to seel U a new heating system. Cheers again

 

[oilman]

.....its a nightmare trying to get a plumber here in Stirling, plus so expensive,......

You could try encouraging a friend to give you a hand, (this is an anti-panic measure when something happens) just pick one who is careful and methodical and get things organised before you start. The important bits will be making sure the seal for the heater is sound, and not lighting yourself up with the electricity supply.

I don't think its a major prob so I'm hoping ot tackle it myself.

Don't give up to quickly.

 

[boilerbeasty]

Ha ha - get a quote, that will encourage you to do it yourself !!

Of course, a job's worth what you will pay for it so its up to you...