A hot water cylinder can quietly do its job for years, which makes it easy to forget about. But small warning signs often appear before a bigger problem, and winter, when everyone wants hot showers, is the worst time for it to fail.
Look out for:
- Water taking longer to heat up than it used to
- Water not getting as hot, or the temperature going up and down
- Banging, hissing or humming from the cylinder
- Damp patches, drips or rust around the base or fittings
- Discoloured or smelly water from the hot taps
- Water dripping from the tundish or a pipe outside, on an unvented cylinder
Unvented cylinders, which store hot water at mains pressure, have safety valves and an expansion vessel that need checking. Most manufacturers recommend an annual service by an engineer with the right G3 qualification, and it’s often needed to keep the warranty valid.
Older vented cylinders, fed by a tank in the loft, can suffer from corrosion and limescale over time, especially in hard water areas.
If your cylinder is showing any of these signs, it’s better to get it checked now than wait for it to fail. Sometimes a repair or a new part is enough. If the cylinder is near the end of its life, replacing it can also give you better pressure and faster hot water.
You can find out more on our hot water cylinder installation page and our service and repairs page.
Give us a call on 01296 425 424 or get in touch and we’ll come and check your cylinder over.