Draining HW cylinders in flats

[londonboy]

Is there a quicker way to drain cylinders in flats?

Ive resorted to draining off into the toilet, then aqua vac-ing the bottom 12inches out (which takes forever!).

I thought about buying a small pump to push the water either down a toilet or into the outside drains (which are a long way away)?

Any suggestions from a pro would be a great help!

 

[plummerman]

buy several 30 metre hoses and join em together with a bit of copper

 

[hammerswinger]

Use an old CH pump with a couple of fittings cobbled onto it so you can place it in line in the drain off hose.

 

[JPC]

sorry mate, explain a bit more for me

 

[londonboy]

sorry mate, explain a bit more for me

Just struggling to completely drain tanks in certain blocks due to there not being a drain anywhere low enough. Im changing eco7 immersions which are 2 inches from the bottom (of a 1500mm tank)

 

[JPC]

ah...dont envy that !!

no drain off point i take it.

any windows/similar u might be able to lower the hose down ?

just had an idea....syphon into the bath - fill the bath to the top. when the tank is nearly empty take the plug out...no idea if it would work

other than those, cant think of any

 

[holty]

you can get water pumps that fit on to standard drills with hose pipe connectors each end, that could work.there only about a tenner.used one a couple of times in awkward situations.

 

[hammerswinger]

What's wrong with the old CH pump idea?

 

[londonboy]

There is a drain off, and windows, but the ledges of the windows are only about 10inches from the top of the cylinder

Yes holty for the sake of a tenner I might buy one and see how it goes, I only need it for that last 12inches or so!

 

[londonboy]

What's wrong with the old CH pump idea?

Its a very good idea! I might try and bodge together some fittings at the weekend, thanks!

 

[JPC]

not sure if a circulator would pull the water up ?? might do

but with a pump or a circulator, both would need to have water in the pipework/hose...not sure how it would get started

 

[hammerswinger]

not sure if a circulator would pull the water up ?? might do

but with a pump or a circulator, both would need to have water in the pipework/hose...not sure how it would get started

No they don't self prime but it's easy to get them started, either start a syphon then switch the pump on or put the out end of the hose onto a tap & run water into the pump the wrong way as you turn it on, as long as the hose from the tank to the pump is full of water the pump will start to lift the water from the tank.

 

[holty]

or use the drain off.

 

[JPC]

ah...not a bad idea...will keep it in my ideas box !

 

[HERTS P&D]

What you could do is connect a wet/dry vacuum to the draw off point front the top of the cylinder, place a hose on the drain cock which is placed into the bath. Close the feed to the cylinder, then turn on your wet/dry so that it is blowing and watch the water come pumping out emptying the cylinder in minutes.

Works every time.

Thank you and goodnight.

Andy