Thermal Store Dripping Overflow

[pete52]

Hi,
We installed a combination, open vented thermal store last year. As the header tank sits on top of the main cylinder the water in the header is really quite hot. I have noticed very slight drips coming from the overflow (more on a cool day) which I think is down to condensation. It’s not overflowing. The overflow pipe is running slightly down to the outside.
This is starting to stain the white pebble dashed outside wall.
My question is, should the overflow have a very slight rise away from the header tank to the outside but keeping the outside opening lower than the top of the header. Or am I off the mark here?
Also can anyone recommend a good cleaner to remove the brown staining spots on the pebble dash.
Thanks

 

[Simon F]

welcome to the forum Pete.
No the overflow should be going down.
How much pipe comes out the wall? must be very short to be hitting the wall??

 

[pete52]

Hi Simon, thanks for your reply.
The pipe protrudes approx 10cm.

 

[AWheating]

the pipe should point downwards slightly and have a tee on the end outside normally. sounds like the water level in the tank need adjustment.

 

[stevetheplumber]

my tank is sitting on top of my thermal store in the loft and does get warm so its now set with about an inch of water in the bottom

 

[pete52]

my tank is sitting on top of my thermal store in the loft and does get warm so its now set with about an inch of water in the bottom

Thanks Steve, The header on mine is about a third full. Maybe i should adjust the ball valve to reduce the amount a little. I will try it next week.
Cheers

 

[Gray0689]

Red hydrochloride for cleaning
But watch its very very strong kind of bleach

 

[pete52]

Red hydrochloride for cleaning
But watch its very very strong kind of bleach

Sounds interesting, what the devil is it though?

 

[Howsie]

Dangerous shiyte that's what.

 

[Ermintrude]

Is anything other than header overflow connected to the overflow?

 

[pete52]

Is anything other than header overflow connected to the overflow?

Hi Zebedy, No the overflow is only connected to the thermal store header.
It seems to be condensation, there is quite a bit condensation inside the header when i remove the tight fitting lid.

 

[AWheating]

is the tank lagged? may help.

 

[Ermintrude]

Shouldn't headder be a minimum distance above store ? Check mfrs instructions. Also u could insert 50mm sheet of celotex to reduce transfer. When store is hot- almost full temp does any water come out of expansion?

 

[Simon F]

its a combined unit!

 

[pete52]

is the tank lagged? may help.

Yes it has approx 50 mm of insulating foam applied around the outside.
It has an alloy lid which is not insulated, should this be lagged and would this help?
I should have mentioned, its located in the loft.

 

[pete52]

For clarity, its the one on the right.

 

[stevetheplumber]

more or less the same set up as mine as i said just adjust the ballvalve down low theres a lot of water being heated in a thermal store if the level is to close to the overflow it will creep over and pull in new water when it cools if its been doing it for a long time i would top up the inhibitor as well

 

[Ermintrude]

Sorry! When u said combined heatstore with tank ontop assumed it was something like gleshill boiler mate with cistern ontop as some one suggested lagging cistern assumed I had correct picture. Cylinder with combined headder isn't what spraining in to my cretinous head.

 

[Ermintrude]

In light of picture Steve sounds right. Isn't there a water fill marker on inside of headder?

 

[Gray0689]

Sounds interesting, what the devil is it though?

It's like an industrial bleach
Mainly used in cleaning milking parlours over here and brilliant for cleaning concrete ect

 

[Ermintrude]

Brick acid would also work pretty well. But test on discreet bit first as some times can stain or cause salts to form. Brick acid is Hydrochloric acid. This will dissolve any calcium based deposits, this includes cement, ok on aluminium but makes a mess of steel or iron.