hot water tank

[ChattingLil]

yet again I am embracing a problem that I know nothing about.

Our calorifier is fitted on its side so the valves and pipes that I would traditionally expect to see coming out of the top are coming out of the side. Two of them are seeping. It's difficult to determine the rate of leaking because the tank is completely covered in insulating foam so the leaks go into that and then drip out if they haven't evaporated in the duration. Sometimes I look at it and can't see any water at all - other times a bead of water appears about every 4-5 seconds. It's obviously been happening for a long time, because there is a little rust spot underneath it on the bracket that holds it up.

Am I looking a new tank or might it be possible to fix the valves?

We have definite leakage in the hot water system and it might be this or there might be others. The tank is a long way from the galley. Still, if I can fix these ones first then we know if we have to look further.

 

[Talulah]

The pipework into the tank usually includes a pressure relief valve. It could be this is doing it's job.

 

[WF36]

I had this problem with my 8 year old QL calorifier, over a winter all of the welds went around the joins.

Got a farmer friend to weld them up, but within weeks same again

Ended up buying a new one and problem solved

 

[vyv_cox]

Your first move has to be to cut some foam away so that you can identify exactly where the leak(s) is. Could be the heating coil, in which case the water will be salty if engine is seawater cooled, or green/blue if indirect with antifreeze. In this case (indirect) you might get away with using Radweld or similar but my experience is that weld repairs will be unsuccessful because there will be pitting inside the calorifier as well as outside, where the leaks can be identified.

If the water is clear and fresh it is the contents. If you are lucky the heating coil could be attached with bulkhead fittings which may only need to be tightened. If not the weld may have failed between the coils and the calorifier walls, in which case a skilful solderer or brazer might be able to repair it.

 

[Trundlebug]

Following on from what Vyv suggested, the most common cause of leaks from calorifiers is the prv - pressure relief valve, which tends to need replacingf after a few years.

I would check what Vyv said above, but also once you've exposed the necessary with the foam cut away do run your finger round the rim of the prv.
They're only a few quid to replace, standard domestic item from plumbers merchants or B&Q

 

[vyv_cox]

On both the calorifiers I have owned the prv was unmistakable, well above the level of the insulation. I assumed the OP's was the same so I didn't take a leak there into consideration. If the prv is not obvious it would be a good place to start investigating.

 

[ChattingLil]

thanks everyone. I will look tonight and maybe take a photo. If I'm lucky, I may be able to figure out how to show you!

thanks again for the starting points.