How long should a cylinder last?

[Millsy 82]

I know this is a bit like how long is a piece of string question but what would you expect a cylinder to last?

I have just been out to look at a 15 year old indirect cylinder that has had an aga tapped into the side using a Surrey/Essex flange (I can never remember which is which) and it's been leaking around the flange for sometime and it is a right state. I said to the bloke I recommend a new cylinder and gave him a rough idea of how much and he said

"rubbish I'm not spending that much on a new cylinder that one is only 15 years old and the one we took out was twice that age so I want it soldered up"

I said they are not soldered in and I wouldn't be prepared to repair the cylinder as I guarantee my work for 12 months and wouldn't be prepared to risk it on an old cylinder.

He then said "I am an engineer all it needs is draining and soldering up then it will be fine!"

I then said that I'm not prepared to do that and that if he wanted to do it then fine that is up to him.

What a tight git I reckon the house (it's a nice holiday cottage over looking st agnes) would rent out £700 a week! Easily and he doesn't want to spend some money for an old cylinder. Oh and both him and his missus were driving 1 year old cars and I bit my tongue so I didn't say I bet you wouldn't drive a 15 year old car.

 

[Ray Stafford]

On average, I would expect longer than 15 years. But averages are made up of some higher values and some lower values - that why we call them averages.

Given the damage that a cylinder can do if it fails badly, I wouldn't want to be explaining to the loss adjuster why I had soldered up a 15yr old cylinder...

He's just another knob who knows better than you how to do your job.

 

[Millsy 82]

He's just another knob who knows better than you how to do your job.

That's most people! Lol.

 

[Plumbstar Tom]

You did the right thing

If he's and engineer and it only needs soldering to last another 15 years then why doesnt he do it

 

[Best]

Depends on how hard the local water is.
I expect grade 3 cylinders in my areas to last 20+ years hopefully. Some might last over 30. Other areas only a few years.
But some cylinders used to come with an aluminium anode & it caused many to fail in a year or two.
To be fair to the guy, some old well made grade 1 or 2 cylinders lasted 40 or even 60 years.
Dont worry too much about staining on cylinder from a leak at a fitting, if it is just on the surface.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

Guy sounds like a right tool.

 

[jtsplumbing]

Had one when I lived near Ascot only lasted about 6 mths [Telford cylinder] bottom half went like a net curtain, only the insulation that held it together

 

[Millsy 82]

Depends on how hard the local water is.
I expect grade 3 cylinders in my areas to last 20+ years hopefully. Some might last over 30. Other areas only a few years.
But some cylinders used to come with an aluminium anode & it caused many to fail in a year or two.
To be fair to the guy, some old well made grade 1 or 2 cylinders lasted 40 or even 60 years.
Dont worry too much about staining on cylinder from a leak at a fitting, if it is just on the surface.

The old cylinders I understand lasting 30+ years as they were nice and thick copper but the new ones just seem flimsy compared to them. I've got 3 in my shed waiting to go to the scrappies and they are lovely and heavy! Not much scale in them either as I've battered them around a bit to make sure.

I don't think it was just staining as it looked and felt really bad I did try cleaning it up a bit. It did look like it had been leaking for years and just got progressively worse over time.

Had it of been the factory fitted joint that was leaking I would of drained it remade it and then sorted it and if it had of gone whilst doing that then not too much of a problem but it just looked rusted around the flange so I didn't want to touch it.

 

[IDCHAPPY]

I had a horizontal cylinder i stripped out during a combi swap with a 1956 date stamp

 

[kris]

Yeh pulled out some really old ones in my time. Some way older than me , the older ones that were made b4 it was labelled what grade were the real McCoy . Just not the same quality in today's tanks . ( copper ones ) .

 

[stevetheplumber]

ive always thought long guarantees on cylinders are useless as they will wriggle out under water quality issues after a couple of years

 

[plumben]

I'd just tell the fella by the time you've drained the system removed the cylinder "attempted"
A repair +your mark up for when it pops in under a year, and refilled the system it'd be cheaper to just fit a new cylinder

Some people aren't half fools

 

[village idiot]

Except the manufacturer provides a ''long'' warranty on the cylinder, then - A Reasonable Time - is all that is needed.
I have seen brand new BMW's parked by the roadside waiting for recovery with their owners looking gloom and doing everthing to avoid eye contact. Oh, the embarrassment.
15 years is long enough. I will tell them they need a new cylinder. If they object, I will start walking and won't look back

 

[SimonG]

Classic, its only 15 years old and a bit of solder will fix it. Well crack on then. I bet the Aga isnt up to scratch either.

You cant help some people Well you can, but its not recommended.

 

[Millsy 82]

I am half expecting a phone call end of next week saying I need a new cylinder and we have people staying in a couple of days so need it sorting ASAP. I think my price may go up a little then lol.

 

[village idiot]

I am half expecting a phone call end of next week saying I need a new cylinder and we have people staying in a couple of days so need it sorting ASAP. I think my price may go up a little then lol.

I think it should go up. If it was my good self, I will arrange a day for the replacement, then phone an hour to my arrival saying it can't be done as the wrong cylinder has been delivered by the merchant

 

[heliotrope]

Essex flanges are not soldered or brazed on. They clamp on with with by
compression with rubber and copper washers.

The rubber washers can and do perish over time leading to leaks around
the joint.

It is a fairly simple job to fit a new flange after draining down.

The worrying job of cutting the cylinder has already been done so is just a
case of cleaning up around the hole and fitting the new flange.

Follow the fitting instructions and don't worry about wire toggles and split
washers.

 

[bright spark]

Sure we've all seen cylinders go after a couple of years. These things happen, like Monday morning cars. I wouldn't risk my insurance soldering a cylinder. D customer wud probably tell ye to solder his boiler when that breaks too.
It must b great to be an expert at everything.

 

[Best]

Them Essex flanges leak badly as heat destroys the rubber washers. Agas constantly heat the cylinder 24 hrs very hot & wreck the washers. Joke is the Essex MIs I think say that they can't withstand heat over a certain level (think approx >60 degrees)

 

[tomplumb83]

I look after a block of flats with roughly 90 Titan cylinders, installed 2002. I reckon at least 25 have failed so far. Mind you, they aren't stainless / copper and Titan don't appear to be in business any more

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

tell him to stop being a google warrior and go fk himself

 

[Millsy 82]

tell him to stop being a google warrior and go fk himself

I like the no nonsense approach lol.

 

[Paulplumb]

Engineers eh. :83::83::83: