In most homes there are normally two different water storage systems that can be installed. They usually sit in the loft. If you need to know what system you have fitted you can check a few things. Below is a brief guide to help you find out. A Holland Park Plumber knows the difference between these cylinders.

The Cylinder:
These water storage vessels should always be manufactured from copper and have a foam or fiberglass insulating covering.
On the top of the storage cylinder is a piece of pipe that moves out at a horizontal angle to the cylinder. This pipe rises up gently and then splits into a T shape with one piece facing up and the other piece facing down. If you follow the upward facing pipe, you arrive at another cold-water storage tank, over which this vent pipe terminates. This is made so any water in this pipe it will run into the cold-water storage tank.
This pipe if fitted indicates that you are fitted with a ‘vented hot water cylinder’. Holland Park Plumbers are trained on all types of cylinders and can service this them.

If no pipe is fitted then you have an unvented cylinder as below:
The outside wall of this cylinder should be made from steel and has no visible form of insulation. The cylinder is fitted with a series of valves that may also go to an expansion tank.

A tundish is close to the cylinder. This forms a gap in the pipework that allows you to see the water flow. If there is water flowing through the tundish, this indicates there is a issue with the boiler, so if you do see water in this pipe, it is more than likely down to a device failure so you should contact a professional with the relevant G3 qualifications to check the cylinder.
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