Leaking water tank

[mcronaldmcd]

It appears that my 5yr old water tank has three leaks.

The first is coming from the overflow where is connects to the drum (image 1)
The second is coming from the stopcock as when I turn the value to shut it off, water still comes through (image 2)
The third is coming from the bullcock (image 4)

Just to note, I never use the hot water from this tank, it's just been sat there. Don't know if this would have caused damage to the inside of the drum but it doesn't look healthy (image 3)

Image 5 shows what type of bullcock it is.

I was quoted £2.6k for a new system (hahahaha)

My options are:
1. Take it down myself. Fit a new value. Fit a new bullcock. Put sealant around the overflow.
2. Get a plumber to do it
3. Get a new system installed (not for £2.6 though).

I will also note that the water tank is very high up, about 2inces from the ceiling, so I would have to take it down to do work on it.

 

[Stuckinarut]

You could attempt it yourself if you’re able enough or just get a plumber to do it as there’s not much room between the ballcock not bull and ceiling. As for the overflow it may just need tightening. Replace service valve if necessary

 

[Madrab]

Just to note, I never use the hot water from this tank, it's just been sat there

If this combination cylinder is no longer used then it should be drained and decommissioned. It will be @ risk of the water being contaminated and a legionella risk.

 

[mcronaldmcd]

You could attempt it yourself if you’re able enough or just get a plumber to do it as there’s not much room between the ballcock not bull and ceiling. As for the overflow it may just need tightening. Replace service valve if necessary

I've managed to change the valve and will attempt the rest as I've had two quotes, one of £800 and the other of £2,600, and won't be going with either of those.

I've drained the water by turning the hot water taps on. My understanding is there is still water in there and I have to drain the rest through the valve in the pic I've attached. Is this the case? If so, do you know of any instructions/videos I could follow to drain it?

 

[Stuckinarut]

Hard to tell exactly, it looks like it’s the one. Either way, if it’s the heating circuit (if indirect) then that needs to be drained too. Not sure on videos, but try this one:

 

[mcronaldmcd]

Hard to tell exactly, it looks like it’s the one. Either way, if it’s the heating circuit (if indirect) then that needs to be drained too. Not siren on videos, but try this one:

Thanks for the reply.

Do you have instructions on how to use a draincock?

Are you saying that if it's a certain type of tank I will also need to do a syphon like in the video, even after using the draincock?

 

[Stuckinarut]

No instructions on how to use a drain cock, but they just undo via the square shank. It depends, is it a direct cylinder or indirect?

 

[mcronaldmcd]

It's direct

 

[Stuckinarut]

It's direct

Should be ok with just that drain cock then.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I've managed to change the valve and will attempt the rest as I've had two quotes, one of £800 and the other of £2,600, and won't be going with either of those.

I've drained the water by turning the hot water taps on. My understanding is there is still water in there and I have to drain the rest through the valve in the pic I've attached. Is this the case? If so, do you know of any instructions/videos I could follow to drain it?

Turn the cold water supply, going into the top of the header tank off.

Fit a long garden hose pipe on the spout of that drain cock in your last photo, run it down from there, to a suitable drain. Use a jubilee clip, to keep the hose tightly on the spout. Organise a bowl if you can, under the drain cock, plus lots of old towels, to catch drips. Use an adjustable spanner on the square shaft of the drain cock, to open it. Then just wait, and watch, as it drains.

 

[mcronaldmcd]

Turn the cold water supply, going into the top of the header tank off.

Fit a long garden hose pipe on the spout of that drain cock in your last photo, run it down from there, to a suitable drain. Use a jubilee clip, to keep the hose tightly on the spout. Organise a bowl if you can, under the drain cock, plus lots of old towels, to catch drips. Use an adjustable spanner on the square shaft of the drain cock, to open it. Then just wait, and watch, as it drains.

Thank you for the detailed response, very helpful.

Once i've done that I will be disconnecting the pipes and lifting it down from its stilts. I'll then use a ball valve repair kit to fix the leak coming from my ballcock. Then I'll lift it back onto its stilts and connect everything again. Are there any flaws with my plan?

​

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Are there any flaws with my plan?

No flaws in the plan, but there are lots of potential pitfalls, in removing the tank/cylinder completely.

Another option, might be to carry out the repairs, with it undisturbed, in situ, from above, via a hole through that ceiling.

 

[mcronaldmcd]

No flaws in the plan, but there are lots of potential pitfalls, in removing the tank/cylinder completely.

Another option, might be to carry out the repairs, with it undisturbed, in situ, from above, via a hole through that ceiling.

Could you go over some of the pitfalls please.

If I were to completely remove the water tank, with the intake valve shutoff turned off, could I still have my mains water on without the valve shutoff shooting off?

 

[endecotp]

Can’t you find a person with a thin arm who can replace the ball valve in situ?

 

[mcronaldmcd]

Can’t you find a person with a thin arm who can replace the ball valve in situ?

The problem is getting wrenches in there to undo the ball valve. Unless there is such a thing as a short arm wrench but I think it needs to be long to have the torque.