Need to de-scale Megaflo Tank - Questions please!

[Virdi]

Hi all,

I need to de-scale my Megaflo water tank.

So I understand that I need to drain the unit first and then remove the heater element to check inside and then attempt to hoover out any crud etc...

The question I have is ....do I also have to re-charge the air bubble? and what stage do I do this?

...before removing the element or after re-fitting the element? ...and then re-fill it etc?

Thanks

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

You recharge the air bubble when its full of water
So at the end of your process.

 

[Virdi]

Thanks - I thought you usually have to drain the tank first - Then hold open the Temp/Pressure Relief Valve? ....is this the process to recharge the bubble?

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

Thanks - I thought you usually have to drain the tank first - Then hold open the Temp/Pressure Relief Valve? ....is this the process to recharge the bubble?

There should be a guide on the side of the cylinder, otherwise online with pics.
From memory you need to isolate incoming water, hold pressure relief iirc (with a tap open) and wait for the "bubbling" noise to stop, then reverse the process. But its deffo done with a full tank, or certainly resetting the bubble is

 

[Participant]

I'm all for having a go at this stuff but for unvented cylinders I let the pros do it.

 

[rexehuk]

I'm all for having a go at this stuff but for unvented cylinders I let the pros do it.

I think it's more than that, I could be wrong.

Working on an unvented cylinder is akin to working on gas and you must be approved. I believe it is illegal to carry out works on unvented tanks if you're not qualified.

I don't believe this stops you from like draining your heating and normal jobs but messing directly with the tank and removing things might be in scope.

Could be worth getting servicer in, in Bristol I got a dude out last week to crack off my gate valves and renew them and only cost me 70 quid.

 

[jpaul]

So I understand that I need to drain the unit first and then remove the heater element to check inside and then attempt to hoover out any crud etc...

don't you need to hire a machine to circulate/pump chemicals for decalcifying - had a pressured water tank that was cleaned like that, anyway.

 

[Mercenary Keyboard Warrior]

Thats a fair point actually.
Im not sure I would go anywhere near messing about like that.

Topping up / repressurising and refilling the air bubble are specifically user expected actions.
Removing the heating element I would say no.

I cant really see why descaling would be necessary either, unless its very very old there surely cant be that much scale in there.
And like a scaled up kettle the bits at the bottom that have fallen off the heat exchange/element arent the problem bit, its the bit thats attached to the element/exchanger thats the issue (reduced effectiveness)