Leak From Airing Cupboard Cylinder Through Kitchen Ceiling

[foxyferret]

I have posted on this before. I have just had a quote from a reputable plumber for £215 per hour to fix this plus parts. I need a Brandy. Is this a resonable price, if so I will just have to bite the bullet.

[SparklyKid]

Like this i did eartlier

https://ibb.co/JK6tp17

[Old_Geezer]

£215/hr, I'd go get other quotes. I can understand materials etc. can add up but that's on top of any hourly rate. How large is the team that are to work on it; 4 ?

[Old_Geezer]

Needed replacement, and size of job, has no affect of the hourly rate.

[Old_Geezer]

...ON...

[The Builder]

I see from your first thread, Foxy, that you've cut an inspection access and found a leaking pipe.
You ask whether the tank has to be drained. That will depend on exactly which pipe it is, and whether there are any gate valves fitted (sort of like a stopcock, but with a red handwheel.)

The scaling you mention is probably just the result of a chemical reaction from the leaking pipe. Probably copper pipe. It would suggest that the leak has been there for some time.

£215 per hour is beyond ridiculous. I just wish I could see the actual quote. At that rate, nobody would use him.

[Hymie]

If the plumber is only working 30 hours per week – they will be earning in excess of £300,000 p.a. (allowing for generous unpaid holiday time).

[alavahalf]

There are plenty in these parts who will just over price the quote as they dont want the small jobs.
You dont need a plumber, most handymen can turn their hand to plumbing.
To me it sounds as though it has leaked for a long time due to the limescale. These sort of leaks often seal themselves with more limescale. I wouldn't be surprised if only a half turn of a nut sorts it out.

[foxyferret]

https://bib.co/3409xCs

[foxyferret]

I have 3 codes sparkly can I put them all in at once to post 3 pics. It appears to be a hot water pipe, measurement is 17mm. It goes up the front of the cylinder and enters into the tank at about 41cmsfrom the bottom. I think it is soldered as I can see silver gloop around the joints and there were bits of solder on the floor of the airing cupboard.

[jno]

https://www.safelocaltrades.com/

[foxyferret]

Just like to say, the original plumber at £215 per hour was off the trusted traders site.

[SparklyKid]

Link to pic not working, try this one.
https://imgbb.com/

[SparklyKid]

I presume you have a header tank above the cylinder, either in the loft or above the tank in the airing cupboard.

If so, then the cylinder has four connections.

Cold water in, usually at the bottom of the cylinder.

Hot water out at the top which branches off as expansion pipe back into header tank.

Two connections about a third of the way out about eight inches apart for the central heating system.

If you put your central heating for a short while does this pipe get hot which would confirm it is part of the CH system.

If your boiler is not a "combi" then it must have a separate small header tank, probably in the loft.

If it ascertained that the leaky pipe joint is in the CH system the system must be partially emptied.

There may be a valve as the Builder described to cut off the water to the small CH header tank. If not tie up the ballcock arm to stop the cold feed to the header tank and drain the CH system.

The joint repair is relatively simple . I wish I lived nearer.

[SparklyKid]

Two CH pipes about a third of the way UP.