Unvented water heater problem

[analyst99]

I have an Ariston EP 15U/2KW unvented water heater which has been great since I had it installed (5+ years ago, can't remember exactly) but has suddenly developed a fault. The other day when I turned on the hot tap I just got a lot of spluttering and vibration of the pipes, suggesting an air lock (the water spraying/dribbling out was still hot). I switched off the heater and then noticed that a small amount of water had been dribbling from the square front facia plate (that houses the control knob and power indicator light). I have now isolated the heater from the water supply and the leaking has stopped.
Is this a common fault? And if so does it mean I am looking at replacing the heater rather than getting it repaired? Any advice would be really appreciated.

 

[mitchellplumber]

Can you post photo of the leak? Were all hot taps doing this or just one?

 

[analyst99]

Both the kitchen and bathroom taps had the same problem (I only have a small flat so the heater supplies both sinks, about 3m pipe run to the kitchen sink and about 8m pipe run to the bathroom).

The heater has a small rectangular panel on the front (120 mm x 210 mm approx which houses the temperature control knob and power light) secured by 4 screws. A small amount of water (about a cup full?) had 'weeped' out of the seam at the bottom of this plate but has stopped since the water was isolated.


Hope this helps?


p.s. many thanks for the quick reply

 

[analyst99]

Sorry, forgot the photo, here it is!

 

[stevetheplumber]

its probably the rubber seal on the imersion heater

 

[mitchellplumber]

Sounds like a blockage on the cold side. Turn off cold water off and disconnect where it enters heater, get a bucket and check water flow through cold pipe.

 

[mitchellplumber]

Element may have burnt out. And as Steve said, Rubber seal might have gone.

 

[analyst99]

Thanks guys,

I stayed logged in but have been off cooking dinner (nice hot curry!) so I am really impressed to get so many replies, so soon, on a Friday evening.

The blockage sounds likely as I am in a hard water area (any haven't had the heater serviced since it was fitted, bit stupid I know). If the inlet is clogged I guess the small leakage from the front could be due to expansion (the inlet pipe no longer being an alternative route due to the blockage) as once the water supply has been shut off the leakage stopped (both inlet and outlet pipes are on the top of the heater, so it is still full of water when the mains supply is shut off).

Thanks for the tips everyone and have a good night (I will raise a glass to you over dinner!).



Cheers!