Any plumbers? Question about cold water tank installation

[Participant]

Hi all

Just had a 50 gal tank installed in the loft now that we have a power shower in place of the 25 gal one we had before. They've done the job today and all is well except for two issues:

- they've left the plastic shavings from the drilling in the tank, which is now full. I'm worried about this damaging the pump or blocking the various filters in the cold water network.

- the hot water vent pipe from the cylinder downstairs has been fed a hole about 2cm wider than the pipe itself. I thought they were meant to be protected to stop insects getting in? The lagging is present and correct, just this issue with the vent pipe.

Should I be concerned or is this normal? I'm going back to pay tomorrow but before I pay I want the job done to a sufficient standard.

 

[Marky]

Hi all

Just had a 50 gal tank installed in the loft now that we have a power shower in place of the 25 gal one we had before. They've done the job today and all is well except for two issues:

- they've left the plastic shavings from the drilling in the tank, which is now full. I'm worried about this damaging the pump or blocking the various filters in the cold water network.

- the hot water vent pipe from the cylinder downstairs has been fed a hole about 2cm wider than the pipe itself. I thought they were meant to be protected to stop insects getting in? The lagging is present and correct, just this issue with the vent pipe.

Should I be concerned or is this normal? I'm going back to pay tomorrow but before I pay I want the job done to a sufficient standard.

I shouldn't think the shavings will cause too much of a problem - unless you have non-return valves fitted, in which case it could case the valve to fail if the slightest bit of rubbish gets clogged in it.

 

[FlyingFish]

Get them shaving out now before they cause you a major head ache later!

Normally Bi-law (sp?) 30 kits come with a gromet to go round the vent pipe into the tank lid....

Did I mention to get them shavings out!!!!

Mick

 

[Marky]

Get them shaving out now before they cause you a major head ache later!

Normally Bi-law (sp?) 30 kits come with a gromet to go round the vent pipe into the tank lid....

Did I mention to get them shavings out!!!!

Mick

What problems will occur with the shavings?

 

[FlyingFish]

Plastic shavings going down the cold feed pipe ending up in the filters/ mechanisms of anything that runs off mavity fed cold water or mavity hot water..

If you can imagine all the places that twists of plastic can get caught up, reducing flow, collecting debris, stopping valves operating, blocking & restricting taps, causing leaking float valves....etc.....

Seen it many times before....

Another classic is foam lagging doing the same from cylinder installations...

Mick

 

[djohn]

FlyingFish is spot on in both cases. Shavings and grommet. Also make sure the pipe from the cold storage tank feeding the hot water cylinder is 1" above the cold outlet to other sources. This is to ensure that in case of mains going off without you realising it then hot water will stop flowing to bath, sink or shower before the cold does therefore preventing scalding to the user.

Check overflow is also well clear of wall on outside and in a position where it will attract your attention if water starts to flow. Pipe should also have an end cap on it that stops cold air from blowing in to freeze any water in the pipe, pressure of moving water will lift the cap if it starts to discharge.

 

[Participant]

Thanks for the tips guys.

I've gone upstairs and taken some pictures of the job. They've lagged it well and done a solid job of the plumbing, only allowing shavings to fill the tank seems a disgraceful error so I'm going to confront them with the pictures and shavings tomorrow morning.

I've gone round it with a sieve and gotten the worst pieces out, but there are still some fine shavings that are too small for the sieve. I'm hoping these will be ok and the tank won't require a complete drain down and clean?

Where the vent pipe has entered the lid I've sealed it with gaffer tape. Will this be ok long run or should I get them back to sort it properly, with the gaffer tape as a short term solution? They seem to have used all the old connections and are certainly using the old ball valve, which is god knows how old.

Thanks again.