Cylinder problems announce themselves plainly: the shower goes cold halfway through, the immersion switch does nothing, or the airing cupboard smells damp. Most faults sit in the immersion element, the thermostat or the controls, and those are repairable. When the cylinder itself is the problem, usually corrosion starting to weep, replacement is the honest answer. We work on vented and unvented systems and set the controls so hot water is actually there when your household wants it.
What you can expect
- Immersion elements, thermostats and timers replaced
- Vented and unvented cylinders both covered
- New cylinders supplied and fitted where repair is not sensible
- Controls set around your household's routine
- Written quote before any replacement work
Vented or unvented: which have you got?
A vented cylinder is fed from a tank in the loft and delivers water by gravity, which is why upstairs showers can feel feeble without a pump. An unvented cylinder connects straight to the mains and stores water under pressure, giving strong showers without a pump and freeing the loft of tanks. Unvented units have specific safety requirements under the building regulations, so they need treating with respect. Not sure which you have? A small tank in the loft means the cylinder is vented.
Immersion heater faults
When hot water runs out quickly, the usual culprit is the bottom element, which does the bulk of the heating; if it has failed you are living off the top element's small bucket of hot water. Elements also scale up and burn out over time. Thermostats fail the other way, either never switching off or never switching on, and timers drift out of true. We test which component has given up, drain the cylinder if the element needs changing, and put it all back with the settings right.
Replacing a cylinder
A cylinder leaking from the body cannot be patched; replacement is the only fix. Modern cylinders are far better insulated than old ones, so a swap often trims standing losses as a bonus. We size the new cylinder to the household rather than to the old hole in the cupboard, check the cold supply can feed it, and plan the work so you are not without hot water for long. As with all our quotes, you see it in writing first.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my hot water run out so fast?
Usually a dead lower element, a thermostat set too low, or a cylinder that was always too small for the household.
Can I get a power shower with a cylinder?
Yes, either a pump on a vented system or an unvented cylinder, depending on the mains; we cover that under water pressure.
Can the cylinder be controlled from my phone?
Yes, our smart thermostat work includes hot water schedules on cylinder systems. We fit and repair cylinders across East London, including Rotherhithe.
Need help with this service?
Tell us what you need and our East London team will talk you through the next step. Call for urgent help or send an enquiry for a free quote.