HOW TO CHANGE IMMERSION HEATER STEP BY STEP - Plumbing Tips
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2024
- This video will tell you how to change a faulty immersion heater element with easy step by step instructions in your hot water storage tank. It will tell you how to isolate the electrics to the immersion heater and how to drain the tank. It will tell you how to remove the old element and replace it with a new one. We will also look at the thermostat and high limit cut out. If you've got no hot water or a faulty immersion heater for your hot water, then this simple video guide should help you to learn how to replace an immersion heater DIY!
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Please help me mate why is my hot water coming on with my heating
I have an old type copper boiler with no drain off at the bottom so once I ha e got to the part of draining off the hot taps once the water has stopped running I undo the top exit pipe the water is just at the top of the tank, using a piece of hose I siphon off a foot or so of water, in my case into the bath, the water level should be below the thread of the immersion heater, create h the outlet pipe then remove heater , from then on in it is must replace heater and connect wiring
If you'd told me a few years ago I'd be attempting an immersion heater replacement myself without calling in a plumber, I'd have laughed in your face. But I've just done it, and I'm not gonna lie, I feel like a boss! 👍
I've been studying plumbing for 2 years in college, and sometimes I learn more in your videos then I did at college.
SNAP
Especially during the past 6 months due to lockdowns
Because plumber parts is about real world plumbing. Can't beat it!
Brilliant instructions. ...
Spot on...
I used Fernox sealer......no leaks!!
Not sure why it was necessary to drain down the tank....the hot taps alone did a great job for me..
Got the special tool on Amazon...
Photographed the old wiring !
Thanks so much.....
Start with a full tank of hot water (This will help), loosen the element, use a blow torch to heat the inner area of the element boss thread, don't heat the outer edge as you are heating the soldered in boss thread mount and it could rip the boss mount from the tank, tap round the hex boss on the element to shock it and the element should then turn with a bit of elbow grease without ripping the boss mount off or distorting it.
No need to drain the whole tank with a top feed element, just get some towels and soak it up as there won't be much water coming out the boss mount.
Wire wool or scotch cloth the heater boss mount, also clean the mating surface of the element, use boss white or true blue on the element boss thread and face, put sealing washer on element boss thread, apply boss white or true blue to the clean side of the sealing washer, screw it in nice and tight, no leaks guaranteed.
Also check what size of top entry element the tank will support, I have just replaced our 27 inch element with a 36 inch element that reaches to 2 inches from the bottom of the tank.
The longer the element the less strain on it to heat the hole tank.
Just done this job for my first time all i can say is a big thank you Jimmy
James, absolute legend. Watched a few of your videos over the years, always so helpful and give people the confidence to undertake jobs like this as I did. Many thanks.
Thanks so much for this video - brilliant! My Boiler broke yesterday so no CH or HW and then I discovered that my Immersion Heater wasn't working either. So plumber is coming for the boiler tomorrow but thanks to your video I was able to successfully change and repair the IH so at least we have HW. Thanks again 😊
Thank you very much for this video. It gave me the courage to replace the immersion heater which had never worked at my girl friend's house. I bought the huge ring spanner and I already had the box spanner. It wouldn't shift, so I gave each of the eight flats a good tap with a hammer and hey presto, it moved.The drain cock was stuck, so I opted to open the joint at the outlet pipe at the top of the tank and siphon off a bucket of water before removing the old heater which was physically broken. We have hard aggressive water here and a copper heater had been fitted (not good enough!). I fitted a new Titanium one which I hope will last a long time. Thanks again.
I had a small leak. I used some sealant ok now. Next time I would check before wiring up as you did and have that cup of tea. Thanks for posting a great helpful video.
Don't usually tackle plumbing jobs (despite being an experienced diyer) but followed your instructions and "can you believe it" all went well. Top draw that man....
No worries!
Absolutely brilliant, learnt a lot. Thanks. Adrian
Great video, just started looking at replacing a leaking one. The rust was shocking, looks like it had a new thermostat that wasn't sealed properly. Very dangerous as the leak was right at the electrical connections.
Great video..used this and replaced our element today..it had started to trip the electric..quick trip to screwfix and picked up replacement 27" Tesla for hard/soft water and copper/SS tank..24.99..subbed
Hi Jimmy.
Great tutorial, very helpful.
Quick question, my new gasket is different on either side, one side nice and smooth the other shining with manufactures logo on it, which side face up.
Thank you. Mark
Great vid. Is it worth checking the thermostat first? Much cheaper and easier to replace if just that's the failure.
Thanks for the video James. Great explanation of what's needed. Can I just add though , in the video at 1.45, if the immersion is actually on a plug top then the BS7671:2018 On site Guide to the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations recommends at H5 that water heaters fitted to tanks exceeding 15 litres (as that appears to be) should be on their own circuit and the immersion heater itself should be supplied via a switched cord-outlet connection unit complying with BS1363-4. I couldn't quite make out what was going on with the switched FCU next to the single socket but with the flex running under the back of the front plate it could probably do with some upgrading!!
Watched this at the weekend and helped me change my immersion with zero stress. Top work, great vid!
What a great video mate well done!!! You've given me the confidence to tackle one that's been in since 1975!!! Will watch this carefully a few more times, but got the stiltson wrench ready to go. 👍
Great video mate.......what do u do if there's no drain point on ur cylinder ??
Great, practical, hands-on advice. Doesn’t come better than this…👍
Jimmy! This is a fantastic video!!! Very easy to follow and really well thought out. I followed your guidance to the tee and I am certainly not an electrician or plumber. I got a new element part and giant nut tool to make sure I could do the job properly. You're right; cracking the giant nut was the toughest part but everything else went pretty smoothly, so I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all of your help!
Hi
Old school advice if you turn the immersion heater anti clockwise when fitting slowly you will here a slight click that means the threads are correctly engaged ,then tighten slowly.. try it.
Dude that's the way I've always done it!!! Forgot to say!!! Cheers, PP!
Good tip. applies to most threaded items too. :)
I watched your video last week. Bought new immersion heater, spanner and jointing compound online. This morning, I followed your instructions and managed to replace my immersion heater in under an hour. Thanks for the step-by-step instructions. Very clear and easy to follow. Wouldn't have known what to do or dared to try it without your video.
Yes, I did the same. Got the large Ring type spanner from Screwfix £9.99 it did leak a little so I used some sealer then ok. Next time I would check for leaks before wiring up!
Great, practical advice, young man.
I was hoping the extraction was gonna give you more problems - mine probably will - just to see how you managed it...👍
DO NOT FILE THE TOP as the video displays !! The video method clearly demonstrates that filings & washer debris etc can get into the cylinder & therefore hot water pipework. Modern taps & showers often have inline gauze filters & therefore this debris will unnecessary clog such filters causing additional issues/potential tap flow rate snags. If no such concerning filters are present the said debris therefore risks scratching tap seatings or valve discs that over time can develop into dripping taps. This ought to be basic information to any plumber. Use a cloth to prevent debris entering the cylinder whilst cleaning the flat top collar area with some emery paper, file or chisel for stubborn pieces.
I thought the same as I watched, good video but that was a clear mistake.
Big help, thank you
I also would’ve cleaned that service around the Heater because he took it off. I saw Debris go straight in
Excellent. Got 4 valves in airing cupboard... two red, two black. What are they likely to be?
I like your style, no BS, straight to point and well explained to complete newbie!
Cheers Ubster! No worries! SUBSCRIBE! ➡️👉 th-cam.com/users/plumberparts 👈⬅️ IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY! 😎
Boy did that one yesterday leak. Finally a second washer and a few rounds of PTFE tape worked. If nothing else works to free it, an extension tube on my ring spanner tool always works but its a risk, I know. A wipe of soap on the immersion threads, makes the next time easier.
Can’t believe I’ve subscribed to a plumbers channel. I need to go and buy a broom and dust pan now. 😂😂😂😂 honestly though a great video 👍
Tank plugs are a time and life saver sometimes. Get that gate valve swapped for a lever for your mate. Nice one James.
Here we go, let’s go and knacker up my immersion heater! Thanks for this mate, super helpful. I’ve subscribed 👍🏻
Excellent video. I used this to great effect today. New immersion installed and working perfectly! Thanks James! Hold tight!
Hi, what paste would you recommend? And do you put the paste on both sides of the gasket? You didn't show this in the video!
If you dont have a blow torch would turning the thermostat all the way up and turning the water on for 15 minutes produce enough heat to lose off the immersion heater if its being stubborn?
Wasthinkin that myself but no probably not 70 degrees is the max on most!
Youneed 100 to melt the sealer on the threads!
All very good in theory. I just had one that resisted all efforts to loosen.
Cracking it when full, heating the flange with a blow torch, you name it, every trick in the book. Ultimately a bare hacksaw blade to cut through the fibre washer and then a bit of a 'love tap' with a heavyweight spanner.
Don't know what's in the water but a lot of green copper oxide 'welding' the washer better than epoxy!
Great Video, Well documented. I noticed the connecting wires looked a lot better after element replacement. had they been cut back & re-dressed, as that was not shown in the video. The wires on my tank looked in bad condition, hence I had to cut off the bad section & re-strip.
spot on - nice vid explaining what needs to be done - now i ll need a plumber in Newbury lol
watching your video i feel; confident to change the immersion on my boiler myself, 1st time ever ! i hope i dont screw up
@plumberparts we had a bungalow oppersite us they where out at the time there immersion heater blew up, what would have caused that. Part of the roof came off also
Great video. Many thanks. From Ireland
Love this, I heard you are supposed to flush your tank to clear debris from the bottom, how do you do that?
Hi, did you just install a 15amp immersion with a 13amp plug and socket. What is the supply rated at?
Great video Jimmy! Just replaced an old immersion heater after watching your tips - yes it was tough but went well anyway. Thanks for the help and the entertainment!
+thomas chatterton No worries!
Sub here please>> th-cam.com/users/plumberparts
Hi ... can I question, I had immersion heater for size long 27" And what size spanner do I need use to open & close? I was boorrow from friends but it loose😢, he said it is right tool but it struggled for me to open and close .
I'm impressed. The gate valves actually turned and didn't come off in your hand. Must be quality ones, like Pegler. If only they were all like that!
Thanks and keep up the hard work. Hold tight!
I was told that you should set the temperature at 65 c to kill any legionella .
@@JohnSmith-vy4lh the element should be set to 60*c kills legionella,
James, thank you for uploading this video. It was exactly what I needed as a check to ensure that I didn't make any schoolboy errors. Cheers!
Perfect mate. Great tip on cleaning the sealing area with a file.
Ive tried to get a couple of immersions out the side of a 210 litre direct Fortic and the boss started to bend in…that was where i stopped before the cylinder got torn. Have you got any tips? Im not keen on using a blow lamp in case it sets fire to the foam insulation but maybe a hot air gun and some taps with a hammer? I think its got thread sealant on it too, and its been there since 1997.
some plumbers say you don't need jointing compound and the fibre washer is sufficient. Some plumbers say the reason immersions are so hard to unscrew is because joining compound has been used. what is your opinion on not using joining compound?
Great vid...but would have loved to see the taping and jointing compound applied.
Question? Could you use WD40 to loosen the heater element large nut? I’m concerned about splitting the tank that now very old if the nut is really tight.
I'm struggling to loosen my big nut too. I took the thermostat out and I've got the big spanner and hit the handle with my 2lb hammer. A couple of blows and water is coming out of the supposedly sealed thermostat tube!
I've shaped an emergency wooden bung to stop it. Going to try tapping the brass nut width some heat from a blowlamp which I now need to buy!!!
How did you manage to get yours off?
I Love Jimmys videos and i dont even do any plumbing. Geeza and im learning alot .Reeeessssspect
Brilliant video. Do you have a video on possible reasons why the hot water pressure, (to all taps), is rubbish (making bath mixer/shower taps unusable)? I rent and my landlord won’t do anything. It’s gutting, as I paid a plumber to fit the bath mixer/shower taps.
A great step by step informative video. 👍
Excellent as always but 50 degrees is a bit low, 65 would be better to ensure you don’t get legionella infection problems.
There is a whole industry built up around Legionella but what is the actual risk? There are 200-250 cases in the UK and half of those are contracted abroad. So the remaining how many are in domestic environments? Regularly used taps and showers are by definition the least likely to grow legionella and for most domestic environments (which the bulk of the population live in) the taps and showers are regularly used - so very low risk. The higher risk sources are commercial and public buildings, air conditioners, humidifiers and kit like hot tubs.
Note I am not saying there is no legionella risk just that it is very low in the average domestic property but the hype around it is overblown or disproportionate.
As far as I know legionella grows in the blanked off part of a T section where the water does not circulate. This would be the section of stagnent pipe with the drain tap on the end. Maybe release some water the length of the pipe. Could be about a pints worth once a year?
Might be a daft question but if the water is cold and electric isolated why do you need to drain the tank if your working at the top?
Brilliant, clear explanation - thanks very much.
If I don't have a cup or tea before I wire it up will it still work?
Please show how to tighten screws on hot water tank valve (the two small valves that sit beside the hot water tank). The screws are loose and I can't get my hands in to screw them back on so lots of rattling all the time. Any tips? I know you prob have to remove the valve, tighten screws then put valve back on but I don't know how to remove the valve and if a specialist required.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. Just installed a new element with the help of your video and everything is working perfect. Much obliged, good sir :)
If a open the bath taps instead of the drain off tap would that still empty the tank enough to take out the element
Cool Plumber, got his shades to hand at all times!!
eamonn doolan Thanks doooode!
I think the immersion heater needs changing the thermostat got changed yesterday but after having it on for over 2 hours still no hot water.I understand about turning off the cold water supply to the tank and opening up the hot taps but I`m unable to drain bottom of tank with hosepipe due to location of tank, do I simply turn my cold water off and open up all my cold water taps as well ?
+Jonathan Hawley No mate. Easy solution. Turn off the cold feed to the tank and open the hot taps. When they stop running, slacken off the top nut on the hot outlet of the tank. You will get a bit of water come out so be ready with a towel. Then remove the pipe if you can. Drop a hose in the hole where the pipe was and pull a siphon. That'll drain your tank out! Good luck, PP!
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Silly question to me that looks like the perfect drain off hose do you need a jubilee clip? Or you just put it straight on and no worries if so where can I get one
There's very little pressure, only gravity as long as you don't squeeze or restrict the flow from the hose. All the pressure comes out of the open end.
Is that immersion a bath sink one? How does it switch from bath to sink?
A really well made and informative video. Thank you.
James, are you able to advise me as to why when the hot water thermostat goes on, after about 30mins or so we get a loud rumbling noise coming from the hot water cylinder (where it sounds like its gonna explode) then we get water gushing out from the overflow pipe outside and the boiler trips out and turns off?
VERY EDUCATIONAL INDEED. THANK YOU.
Very interesting and informative. Thanks
Nice one James, much appreciated.
What’s the size of the cable that goes to the Immersion from the switch?
thank you, in a older house and this may be useful at some stage. thank you !
Love the editing at 8:45 - Smooth.
Ha! Cheers!
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Thanks for posting this, VERY helpful.
Hi, I want to run it on timer and bought 13a timer and socket. Please confirm if 13A is enough to run combi on timer?
Amazing 😊
Another great informative video. When you opened the drain valve at bottom, did you just need to let a few litres of water out or did you drain most or all tank. Thanks
Great video thanks👌
thanks brilliant
Genial na minha casa estamos com o mesmo problema agua nao esquenta .nao consigo soltar o heater element.
How would you drain an old horizontal hot water cylinder? The immersion needs replacing but its located at the bottom of the tank so need to drain the whole thing...Holding tight! Cheers
If I have an immersion that's 2/2.85 kW can I put a 3 pin plug on it and pug it into a hive smart plug with a capacity of 3 kW. I'm guessing no because because it's a dual immersion.
Like your style always good reliable advice with a great attitude. Keep up the great holiday videos.
Thank you
Hi, how long does Tribune brand immersion heater usually last? and as in how often would it need servicing? 120 litre one for example. Cheers
There's nothing to service, it just works or it don't. The lifespan is greatly affected by the lime content in water (UK). Soft water areas have no problem, hard water can ruin an immersion heater within less than a year. Best to have a water softener fitted in that case, saves the washing machine and kettle going BANG as well.
Someone said a stainless steel one would be better for hard water areas.
I changed mine about 6 years ago but was ignorant to proper procedure.
I just turned off power supply, removed cable and unscrewed it then replaced it.
How come I didn't flood the place?
Top videos. Will you ever go more indepth on the electric side of plumbing how components such as pumps zone valves etc work and are wired?
1Monaghan Hmm I'll add it to the list!
Go to John Wards channel for the masterclass in this.
Hello
My cylinder is leaking badly from the immersion , which i have turned off. Do you think its worth replacing the whole tank or should i just replace the immersion. The tank itself still heats up. Thank you
Wendy
Mine too! I'm attempting the big nut heater replacement. How did you fare getting it off, or did you call a plumber?
hello I am john , I am at motherwell new college doing NQ PLUMBING love it
Excellent and informative video :)
Another great video! Keep it up 👍 and hold tight
What size is that Stilson wrench?
Great informative vid thanks!
Watched this a few times ..are the warm taps turned on just to clear the pipe ? , or to lower the water level 5Ltr..or is it the hose that drains the water 5Ltr ? ... I assume you want the tank full before you loosen the element..or is the water level down 5 Ltrs then you loosen the Element .. sorry if I am a bit confused .
+Sam Leo they clear any water from the pipes above the cylinder you are working on. PP!
Hi again..here is the problem , I have no plug outlet to attach a hose , I suppose the question is , is it important to have this drain off ?.. does the water enter the tank if not drained ? and if the water level is already lowered by 5 to 10 Ltr is it a big obstacle to doing the job...its the only thing that has stopped me doing this job .
You are great I’ve done that much stuff after watching you 😀
Hi can u please help me my immersion tank near bedroom .Can u recommend quiet non kettling immersion element please that doesn't wake me up in night.
I noticed u set to 55 degree is that what I should do
Be grateful for help .
Someone said 60⁰C to kill legionella growth.
Hi from york! I got new cylinder fitted by a plumber... but after two weeks of using this immersion for emergency use, it stops working too... any tips?
If it has been wired up by the plumber - isolate power to ensure safe to work, then recheck all the wiring paying close attention to the connections actually clamping onto copper and not the insulation. So, that’s from the load side of the fused spur and the connections at the element/thermostat.
How much does it cost 2021 prices for a plumber to do this work?
what happens to all of the residue of that stuff you filed off the immersion heater entry? it all fell inside, what's a good way of clearing the cylinder out?
Is ptfe tape enough to seal it I thought you use that hairy gear .