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baz · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Bushey Heath

Hi,

I live in a flat on the first floor with all heating run on electric, electric runs the power to pump and stats etc on the hot water.

The water cylinder and tank are both housed in a cupboard in my bathroom. .

I was woken at 4 on Saturday morning by a really strange noise which seemed to be coming from the tank which sits above the cylinder in a frame. It sounded almost like water was draining away or there was an air problem in the tank. After about 5 munites it stopped. I thought nothing more of it and went to bed.

However I noticed early Saturday evening that the hot water was very hot. I checked to ensure that we hadn't had the immersion on and we hadn't, normally if the immersion has run it would be warmer than if not at that time of day. The immersion was switched off.

The same thing happened yesterday morning and this morning also. The Water this morning was boiling and to hot to even have a shower through our power shower which should allow us to regulate the temperature. Within the tank cupboard it sounded like it was boiling very hot. The cold water tank (plastic) was also very hot. This point worried me a lot so I switched off all heating power to the cylinder and ran both hot and cold taps until the temperature from the cold tap was cold again and the temperature of the cold water tank was cold again.

I was wondering if the heating element/thermostat had corroded and if this has caused it to continue heating continuously rather than to the normal cut off temperature point. I changed the immersion element and stat a couple of months ago and they were heavily corroded. If the general heating stat and element are the same age then I guess it is likely that they are equally corroded.

That said I could not understand why the tank would have been so hot as well.

Any thoughts gratefully received.

Baz

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4416 Location: Bath

I'm surprised you havent changed the stats by now for ones with an thermal cut-out

baz · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Bushey Heath

Does that mean that the only problem is likely to be the stat?

I was concerned that I was getting hot water in the tank, is that be be expected or does it hint that there is a bigger problem elsewhere?

Thanks

Baz

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4416 Location: Bath

The water is boiling and that is why the storage tank is red hot as well. it will collapse if it continues so get it sorted

baz · Joined: 17 Mar 2008 Posts: 3 Location: Bushey Heath

Thanks for that. I completely agree that I need to get it fixed and sharpish. Until I can fix it or get it fixed I was going to keep timed power switched off and flick the immersion on for an hour or so to get hot water (if it ever cools down) As far as I can imagine that should be safe as the immersion stat/element are fine. Is that sensible?

Don't wish to look stupid but i'm not a plumber. Do you think it is likely to be the stat/element as I asked on previous post?

I know it must be a pain dealing with numpties asking silly questions all day but really grateful for your help.

Many thanks,

Baz

thescruff · Moderator Joined: 03 May 2003 Posts: 4416 Location: Bath

Yes it will be the stat, as I said the new one should have a thermal cut-out to avoid this problem in the future

Its ok to flick it on just to get hot water but you most turn it off again