Had a call from a relative today - it sounds like the immersion heater has
packed up. I will go and confirm, but I don't want to get into replacing it
(too much risk of sods law kicking in and the thing will be stuck and the
tank will rip!)


Any clues for a rule of thumb charge for an Electrician to replace the
immersion heater? (They seem to cost between £14 and £20 to buy)

"John" wrote in message
...
Had a call from a relative today - it sounds like the immersion heater has
packed up. I will go and confirm, but I don't want to get into replacing
it (too much risk of sods law kicking in and the thing will be stuck and
the tank will rip!)


Any clues for a rule of thumb charge for an Electrician to replace the
immersion heater? (They seem to cost between £14 and £20 to buy)

Test the thermostat first. These are an easy DIY swap and will cause you no
leaks if a replacement is needed. If it is the element that has failed then
using a plumber would be a better option than an electrician to do the work.

Adam

"John" wrote in message
...
Had a call from a relative today - it sounds like the immersion heater has
packed up. I will go and confirm, but I don't want to get into replacing
it (too much risk of sods law kicking in and the thing will be stuck and
the tank will rip!)

It could just be the wiring, a fuse, a breaker in the main fuse box or the
immersion stat which should just pull out without having to touch anything
else. It's at least worth checking those. In fact it's worth just seeing if
the immersion will start to unscrew with reasonable force without draining
the tank first. If not you can abandon the job if you prefer and if so then
you can drain the tank and get on with it.


Any clues for a rule of thumb charge for an Electrician to replace the
immersion heater? (They seem to cost between £14 and £20 to buy)

Well a plumber would be a better bet if the tank needs draining and
refilling but at £50 an hour plus call out you aren't going to get any
change from £150 plus parts I would have thought even if turns out to be a
simple job. If not then it could be new tank time at several hundred quid.

However logically if it's a simple job because the immersion unscrews easily
then you will presumably be doing it yourself anyway and if it's a complete
tank replacement the cost will be so high it will still probably be worth
your while doing it and charging them something.
--
Dave Baker
Puma Race Engines

John wrote:
Had a call from a relative today - it sounds like the immersion
heater has packed up. I will go and confirm, but I don't want to get
into replacing it (too much risk of sods law kicking in and the thing
will be stuck and the tank will rip!)


Check to see that the reset hasn't tripped. Quite common.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257

"The Medway Handyman" wrote in message
.uk...
John wrote:
Had a call from a relative today - it sounds like the immersion
heater has packed up. I will go and confirm, but I don't want to get
into replacing it (too much risk of sods law kicking in and the thing
will be stuck and the tank will rip!)


Check to see that the reset hasn't tripped. Quite common.


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk
01634 717930
07850 597257


See my follow on note.

Incidentally - no reset on it. Just a thermostat. so in light of the scalded
baby I guess it should be changed.

Is the reset trip in the same tube as an existing thermostat - or will it
mean a new heater?

Just looking at switches and wondering if it needs a fused / switched
outlet. Possibly just a switch as the circuit is 16 amp MCB protected.

On Tue, 8 Jan 2008 20:17:56 -0000, Dave Baker wrote:

In fact it's worth just seeing if the immersion will start to unscrew
with reasonable force without draining the tank first.

I believe the water offers a bit of support to the tank, it'll be
pressurised by about 1/3 bar by the head of water from the the storage
tank.

If you need to buy a immersion spanner get the box type rather than ring.

--
Cheers
Dave. pam is missing e-mail