I have just replaced a gate valve on the 28mm water supply to the bottom of the hot water cylinder. Unfortunately in doing so have moved the pipe during installation which has caused two small holes in the copper on the tank at the point in meets the outlet. The fractures are quite tiny, however enough to cause a drip. Is there an easy way of repairing this which doesn't involve me replacing the cylinder
2006-09-26 08:09:59 · 8 answers · asked by jas 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
you may as well change the cylinder as you have done the hard bit by changing the valve as least you know it will shut off.
if you do drain it down to repair it you will have to take it out then you may damage it on another joint so you may just as well renew.
2006-09-26 10:20:06 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You first "have" to drain the tank, no matter what method you take.
Now, you can get a few things...
You can get some "liquid steel" and shove into the "hole" and it will take so many hours to dry, and it will hold...(because you force it into the crack and it will make a bead on the inside and you leave a small bit on the outside, so that it will be an effective plug).
Or, get a torch, some flux and solder, flux the hole, and heat it, then apply the solder to the hole, and keep "pushing" so that you get the solder inside a bit, and it should hold.
If this copper doesnt get "hot", then you can just put epoxy on the outside, and "force" it into the hole and it will also hold.
When you drain the tank, shut off the gas or electric, as your tank element, will self destruct, if its electric, and if its gas, it will heat up and crack possibly, from the flames coming into contact with copper and not having the water to absorb and dissipate the heat.
I wish you well..
Jesse
2006-09-26 15:31:55 · answer #2 · answered by x 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid your probably buggered. The tank is probably quite old if its cracked. This will probably get worse. You could try and solder it but that is very unlikely to work. Best to replace cylinder before you end up coming home one day with loads of water everywhere...
2006-09-26 16:51:30 · answer #3 · answered by rikerlock 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bite the bullet, the chances are you have found a weakness in the cylinder if it has an anode fitted then beware acidic green slime collects at bottom of cylinder & rots it.
the time & effort trying to repair just puts off the inevitable and you will always be thinking of it (your repair)when perhaps you are on holiday, or just serving xmas dinner.
buy a new one !
2006-09-26 16:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by morangey 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As above, you could solder it, you may have to 'wipe' over it, which may be difficult for you. You could also look for a 2 part epoxy 'liquid metal' I think there is one specially for copper, that would save draining the tank and done properly would be just as good as solder.
2006-09-26 15:33:44 · answer #5 · answered by jayktee96 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can solder, but you'll need the tank empty. a simple plumbers butane blowlamp and stick solder with flux... all available from any DIY store.... If the cylinder is quite fragile, i think you will probably need to change it...
2006-09-26 15:21:28 · answer #6 · answered by engineer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Solder might do it, but you may have to remove the tank, or at least drain and let it dry.
2006-09-26 15:18:34 · answer #7 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try that stuff they put in car radiators, it attaches itself to the leak on the inside, you just need to pour into the tank... check if its toxic first though!
2006-09-27 07:27:58 · answer #8 · answered by nai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋