Stuffed hot water system

[abitfishy]

We have an 8 or 9 year old 80L Rheem hot water system. The last 12mths or so the hot water when first turned on has been very rusty so we assumed it was on the way out. We are moving within 6 mths so we were hoping it would last.

Tonight (or should I say this morning) I noticed when I put the dog to bed in the laundry that there was a tiny bit of water discharging from the top 'lip' of the tank, not any discharge valve etc, but the top of the tank itself. I assume its now corroded and is stuffed and time to replace it?

Anyone in Sydney know of a cheap way to get a replacement hot water system - are their particularly cheaper brands of water system that we could use or is it much of a muchness once a plumber to install it is added into the equation? We really don't want to put more money then we need to on a damn hot water system....

Oh, is it safe for the dog to sleep near it or is it likely to 'explode' or leak really hot water really quickly?

Thanks

[Dirty Doogie]

I'd guess your system is probably stuffed but HWS can continue on some months before meltdown. I take it that your current system is a "storage" type.

If it needs replacing, I believe a Saxon brand system is substantially cheaper to buy and install.

[bricks]

For a price guide....

Get the same heater- the connections will be the same - ie less money for plumbing,

Cost of heater plus 150-300$$ should do it.

rheem 80lt is a about 600$$ i think so you should be able to change it for less than $900.

you'll kick yourself if you save $100 on a cheaper heater and pay an extra $200 in plumbing to hook it up.

if you ring your energy supplier like we have AGL in adelaide they might change it over and let you pay via your electricity bill in installments.:2tsup:

They often have a reasonable price and do it fairly quickly too.:cool:

[abitfishy]

$900 for this piddly little thing? Bugger!

I won't risk it having meltdown at an inconvenient time, or leaking all over the dog who sleeps near it, so will have to get onto a plumber on Wednesday.

Thanks

[bricks]

$900 for this piddly little thing? Bugger!

I won't risk it having meltdown at an inconvenient time, or leaking all over the dog who sleeps near it, so will have to get onto a plumber on Wednesday.

Thanks


I only say that because your in sydeney where everything seems to cost more, in adelaide its usual for standard changeover to be 100-150$ depending on how hard it is. normally $100

[Timed Out]

I know someone who's roof storage HWS gave up the ghost. Rust in the tank caused it to rupture and empty itself down the walls and through the ceiling. Fortunately the damage was covered by insurance. I think they were out of the house when it happened so I don't know how hot the water was when it gave way.

A question for plumbers - is it cheaper to install a new HWS externally rather than removing and replacing the old HWS in the roof?

I've seen a lot of rental type properties where the replacement HWS is an external tank. I've put this down to it being cheaper than replacing the HWS in the roof.

[bricks]

One person can install an external tank with a sack trolley
Two people are needed to get a hws onto the roof
you need to cut parts of the roof structure to get the hws in, and the old one out
roof units are more expensive ( they do last longer though)Basically it takes alot longer, and you need to pay twice as much per hour for labour, and the roof units are more expensive, IMHO the roof units are better value due to the time they last - about 20-30 years or longer

[Bleedin Thumb]

Last week whilst in Brissy I replaced my Mums a 125 lt Rheem cost $680 including GST from Reece. DUX are supposed to be cheaper but I only had a couple of hrs to purchase and then install.

As Bricks says get the same size and power rating so its very simple to refit and rewire....only by licensed tradespersons mind otherwise you will void your warranty...oh that's right your moving...:wink:

[Smurf]

Agreed with those saying replace it with one exactly the same. Make sure the element rating as well as the tank size are identical so everything fits easily.

Depending on the location, you need to be aware that the tanks now are a bit larger due to extra insulation. Won't matter in the open but an issue if it's a tight fit in a cupboard etc.

[abitfishy]

Guess it looks like it will be easier to replace it with the same. Its not in an overly enclosed area but is on a shelf made for it so it might need replacing (plus its chipboard and its a bit damp). It seems silly to have a WATER system on a CHIPBOARD shelf.

[Barry_White]

I reckon unless the HWS is sitting on a concrete floor and it is installed inside the house it should be sitting in a drain tray with the drain run to the outside.

That sounds like a typical Rheem glass lined steel HWS. Had two of them go when I was living in Sydney.

I currently have a Braemar Copper tank that has been installed for over 25 years. Sits on a drain tray in the roof.

[abitfishy]

I reckon unless the HWS is sitting on a concrete floor and it is installed inside the house it should be sitting in a drain tray with the drain run to the outside.

Nothing that fancy here mate. :no:

[China]

If you are going to be moving, why not visit your local salvage yard and pick up good second hand unit, here in SA would pick one up for about $200

[abitfishy]

I wouldn't trust a salvage yard to sell me a 'good' one. As much as we'd like to save a few $$, we'd rather not risk going to the trouble of getting a dodgy system installed! Sometimes we just need to bite the bullet I think. :(

[Dirty Doogie]

I suppose it does make sense to replace the hws with the same size and type.

I just went looking for the saxon website and discovered they no longer make the Quickfit model I installed 2 years ago. Bum! Took the plumber a whole 30 minutes to instal it.

[wonderplumb]

If its a Rheem, dont replace it with a dux, connection points will be different. Reece have a heater called everhot, made by rheem but a little cheaper and will fit straight in. Being as old as the heater is the connection points MAY vary a little.
BTW there is a Reece at Kirrawee now if you didnt know already on Oak Rd.

[abitfishy]

Thanks for that, I'm about to ring a plumber now. Glad I'm sitting down....

[wonderplumb]

C'mon, we're not that bad!! There is plenty of us in the shire, just be wary of a certain mob on the outer edges of the shire (engadine/heathcote).
Ill take a stab and say that living in Sutho with an 80L HWS your in a unit???

[abitfishy]

Hey,

No, in a house actually. Why a 80L was installed I have no idea. We manage and have only run out of water on a few occasions in the shower.

I've been waiting for a few to return calls, but tradesman will be tradesman I guess. :(( Thats not being stereotypical, its just TYPICAL.

[Smurf]

Just a point of clarification. I would not recommend that you have an 80L tank in a normal household. Peak rate power means expensive to run. I'm only advocating that since you want to keep the capital cost down and are moving.

In any other circumstance I'd strongly favour solar, gas or at least off-peak electric. Continuous electric systems are the last resort option normally - good when others won't fit etc or when you're about to move. Cheap to install but absolutely the most expensive system to run.

[sdrob]

just one quick note... im guessing that this rheem unit is one with a anode in the top??? most of them do have a anode designed to corrode first rather than the tank itself.. during my years at work i have come across 2 leaking units with both turned out to be because of the anode rusting out as well as the bung itself thus causing a leak.. might be worth checking by popping out the top plastic cap.. you might get lucky

[abitfishy]

just one quick note... im guessing that this rheem unit is one with a anode in the top??? most of them do have a anode designed to corrode first rather than the tank itself.. during my years at work i have come across 2 leaking units with both turned out to be because of the anode rusting out as well as the bung itself thus causing a leak.. might be worth checking by popping out the top plastic cap.. you might get lucky

Hi mate,

Thanks for that - there is a plastic thing on the top middle that has a bit of water around it, although it is also dripping around the 'lid' if that makes sense, but I guess it could be coming from the anode under the cap and dripping from there. So its just a matter of prying off that rubber centre on the top? No problems will arise from doing so? (ie, a big leak I can't stop?). Thanks - theres a chance that could be the problem.....

Oh, by the way, one got back to me $795 installed for the 80L Rheem. The 'cheaper' Aquamax was still $780, so for the sake of $15, even though I want to save a bit, we will still be here at least 6mths so I might go for the rheem - never like things I've never head of (however not having heard of a HWS doesn't mean much - I don't exactly replace them often!!)

[Smurf]

Something to remember for your next place is to check the anode before there's a leak. A good anode will very much slow down the overall corrosion of the tank and extend its life greatly. At about $45 for the anode it's a lot cheaper to replace that than to let it run out and the tank start to rust.

Anodes typically should be checked after 5 years. Shorter in areas with poor water quality. If it's severely corroded then it needs to be replaced in order to continue protecting the tank from rust.

[abitfishy]

Since we've had rusty water for 12mths or so, I have a feeling it might be past just replacing the anode.........