Before we start to talk about Manco Gladiator and Manco Stirling unvented water cylinders. We should say that these water heaters are very old, possibly corroded, and because of this, you should question whether or not it is worth spending money on them. Some immersion heater sizes are not available, and given the company changed the boss size four times without changing the version name or product number, you might end up in the situation where work is started and not completed. You should also note that Manco went out of business over 15 years ago. 

At one time Manco was one of the best known suppliers in the realm of hot water heaters in the UK. However, the brand was bought out by Kingspan Hot Water Systems several years ago and the Manco name has not appeared on any products since that point. At their height, Manco manufactured a wide range of hot water heaters, all of which relied on a copper cylinder, including thermal store heaters, such as the popular Riverstream and Powerstream options from the 2000s as well as unvented hot water heaters like the Gladiator and Stirling lines.

Here at EasyFlow we are well acquainted with Manco and the company’s hot water heaters. Manco used to be based in Manchester, and EasyFlow’s office is also located in Manchester. We also became very familiar with servicing Manco hot water heaters during the building boom of 2000. Today, while Manco might be defunct, we’re still servicing their water heaters throughout Manchester, Liverpool and Chester. But take heed, it might be time to invest in a new water cylinder.

While Manco manufactured a wide range of water heaters at one point, some of the most common are the Stirling, Gladiator and Gladiator Maximus models. The Maximus is the most recent water heater, but even it is about 10 years old at this point. In addition, all three models used a copper cylinder with lower operating pressures that what is possible with stainless steel cylinders. For instance, while a stainless steel model might be able to hold 3.5 bar, a copper cylinder might only be capable of 2.1 bar.

Because these three models are unvented water heaters, they must be inspected annually to ensure that all valves remain in good condition and to ensure that the expansion vessel does not lose its charge or become overcharged. However, the fact that copper was used to manufacture the cylinders complicates the situation. Copper is not as strong as steel, and cannot withstand overpressure situations as well. This poses a problem in the event that an expansion vessel becomes overcharged rather than losing its pressure.

Over the years we have accumulated information on the most common faults experienced by owners of copper cylinder water heaters, particularly the Gladiator and Sterling models. This will help you to make informed decisions regarding service, maintenance and repairs.

Firstly Leaking from Seams: This is a fault common to most copper cylinder systems, particularly if regular maintenance has not been conducted. Without proper maintenance, the seams weaken. Replacing components like immersion heaters can further weaken seams, and they eventually begin leaking. Any leak should be handled by a professional technician from EasyFlow.

Secondly, Cold Water at the Hot Tap: If you’re experiencing cold water from the hot tap, chances are good that the problem lies with either the immersion heater or the thermostat. Complicating the matter is the fact that Manco used four different immersion heater sizes on the Gladiator water heater, with no way to determine the actual size without removing the old heater first.

Thirdly, the Breaker Keeps Tripping: If you’re noticing that the circuit breaker for the water heater keeps tripping, the problem is likely a burned out immersion heater creating a short in the system. The immersion heater will need to be replaced to solve the problem.

Our maintenance plans are designed to ensure our customers enjoy peace of mind, and constant hot water. We keep your hot water flowing while minimising your costs and eliminating stress. Let our experts identify and correct water heater faults, while you enjoy low monthly payments.