Is It Possible to Repair My Unvented Cylinder?

Unvented cylinders represent significant advancements over older vented cylinders. For instance, they deliver mains pressure hot water to every tap in your home, rather than just a few. They also don’t have to be installed at the top of the home, don’t rely on gravity to feed water to the taps, and are more efficient.However, unvented cylinders are still subject to wear and tear. Eventually, parts will fail. The challenge here is that the average UK resident cannot service their own unvented cylinder due to the risk involved. Can they be repaired?The answer is yes, but it depends on the nature of the problem. And in no circumstances should you attempt to service your unvented cylinder yourself.

Can your unvented cylinder be repaired? It depends on the underlying problem. Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common repairable issues.

Failed Immersion Heater – Electric-powered cylinders use immersion heaters to warm the water within them. If the heater fails, then you may have warm (but not hot) or cold water when you open the tap.

Failed Valves – Your unvented cylinder has several valves that are critical to its safe operation. If any of these valves fail, the cylinder will stop functioning. However, they can usually be replaced without having to replace the entire cylinder.

Thermostat – The thermostat is responsible for setting and maintaining the temperature of the water within the unvented cylinder. If the thermostat fails, the unit will not work. However, replacing the thermostat should do the trick.

Above, we discussed some of the most common repairable issues with today’s unvented cylinders. However, is yours worth repairing? While it might be tempting to think that you can save a few pounds by making it last as long as possible, there are several instances in which you should just go ahead and replace the unit. These include:

Over 10 Years Old – If your unvented cylinder is over 10 years old, it’s best to go ahead and replace it even if the problem is repairable. The average lifespan of an unvented cylinder is 10-15 years, so you will need to replace it soon anyway.

No Further Complications – If the problem with the cylinder is repairable and there are no further complications, then you can consider repairing instead of replacing it. However, if you have additional issues with your water heater, such as rusty or cloudy water, condensation on the sides of the cylinder, or visible leaks, it’s best to replace it immediately instead of repairing it.

Not sure which is the best course of action for you? Contact EasyFlow today to schedule an inspection of your unvented cylinder. EasyFlow are based in Manchester and operate in Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Chester