Plumbing emergency!!!

[dobbslc]

It is a flange. It has some kind of compound behind the nut that's dissolved. It's fitted from the inside before the top of the cylinder is soldered on, poxy piece of work!
I've got a new rubber seal for it but the threads are screwed! I have tried filing and cleaning it up but it's fooked!
New cylinder or possibly solder a plate over the hole????
What's worse is this outlet isn't even used!!!

 

[Tigman]

that is an Essex Flange , its a big white rubber Gasket ! drain down , undo the flange and replace it , i dont think you can buy just a new rubber gasket !

heres how to

undo the compression nut and remove the copper tube

get a good pair of grips on the threaded part and a big spanner on the two sided flange nut and unscrew it !

if it only comes undone a short way and wont come right off put a hacksaw blade behind the nut and cut through the threaded tube , if the rest of the flange falls inside the cylinder it wont hurt anything, then replace the whole thing !

 

[waddycall]

You won’t be able to solder a plate over. You can replace the flange as they’re fitted from the outside. Have a look at the link in my post earlier. It’ll depend on the state of the cylinder though.

 

[Rig Pig]

You won’t be able to solder a plate over. You can replace the flange as they’re fitted from the outside. Have a look at the link in my post earlier. It’ll depend on the state of the cylinder though.

I'm intrigued, why can't you solder a patch over it?

 

[dobbslc]

I've finally got the threads cleaned up but the washer squeezed out when i did the nut up
Essex flange eh?
Didn't know they were fitted from the outside! I could've gone and got a new one in the time I've pi##ed about with this!
Anyway systems drained so should be ok till tomorrow....

 

[Kayos]

I'm intrigued, why can't you solder a patch over it?

Usually too thin and corroded, it is possible with a big patch, old fashioned flux and a solder bar but the price of a new cylinder means it’s not worth it

 

[dobbslc]

I can get a 22mm Essex flange but the old one measures 1" across the threads, will the 22mm one be ok?

 

[brightspark]

its a temp measure till new one fitted. if it all cleans up with some emery cloth a patch can be fitted. just flux and tin it 1st if it takes sweat a patch on

 

[dobbslc]

Ps the tank (at least at the top looks ok) the bottom though is very green in two places.....

 

[brightspark]

they rot at the lower rim on the joints

 

[Monkey Harris]

I've just googled Essex flange..

 

[Ashley Burton]

I've just googled Essex flange..

I bet that bought up some right sights!

 

[dobbslc]

Dirty boy dirty dirty boy!
Aaanyway I've picked up my flange and fitted it. The old flange had to be ground off with a slitting disc in my Power Craft mini drill and the tank needed the hole grinding out a bit to get it in. The tank now has half a knackered esesx flange and the tip of a grinding wheel in it...
The tanks are filling as I type this

 

[dobbslc]

 

[julianf]

Was that the boiler coil?

Seems like the job is over now, but there been lots of talk of Essex flanges - they're fairly rare on tanks, and if it's just a boiler coil, it will just have the sealing washer on the outer face, which should be an easy, no heat repair job.

Essex flanges are when you need to add a port to an existing tank without access to the inside. They have those special split nuts so you can get them through the hole in the wall.

Items added at build time don't need them.

 

[armalites]

Essex flange, split nuts,not sure I like where this is going

 

[dobbslc]

@julianf
It was the old hot water feed to the upstairs sink that I ripped out months ago. There's another one just above it doing nothing as well!
I have replaced the stud wall next to the tank room and fitted a new door and this was in the way so I cut the pipe back yesterday but must have disturbed the seal.
I didn't know about Essex flange until now but glad to fix it cheaply enough for a temp repair.

The new door is now on the left and you can just see the pipe I cut back in green lagging behind the nogging.

The old cylinder has to stay for now and was actually fitted recessed into the stud wall and that's why I've build the new stud round it, it will be finished when the cylinder goes.
The new one is going on the right on 4 new joists I've installed (you can't see them) .
Thanks for the advice chaps

 

[julianf]

Re new cylinders -

I've purchased no end of used cylinders off eBay for pocket change that are flawless. Some have been tired, but most as good as new.

The 300 ltr thermal store in our home was about 10% of its new price, for example.

Building stuff costs money right left and center. Sometimes you just want the job done, so paying through the nose is sometimes acceptable - but, even if you need a somewhat special tank, thermal store, etc there will be one on eBay soon enough to save you a bunch of cash.

 

[julianf]

Ps virtually all cylinders have their build date written on their lable.

 

[dobbslc]

I spoke too soon!
Just found another leaking flange on the bottom!!!
It was fine yesterday, I need a new cylinder