Water heater failed after 2 years??

[Tunefootball]

I know the water should still reach the first pipe if it is hot, and that's why I posted the initial question.
I can prove the blockage, simply by disconnecting the outlet pipe.
Obviously if water flows from there, the pipe work further on must be the cause.
With the age of the boiler and what everyone as said, I think it will be wise to replace the boiler even if I need more remedial work as well .
Thanks everyone for your comments.
Much appreciated 👍

[Tunefootball]

Conclusion to my problem.
After disconnecting the water outlet hose from the boiler I found it to be completely blocked with brown waste .
After cleaning this I turned the water back on and ran the hose into a bucket- sure enough , brown water , then clear .
As good practice I disconnected each hose from the next outlet- eg sink,bathroom sink , bath and ran the water into a bucket.
Result - hot water and more pressure in each outlet.
I'll replace the boiler on my next holiday visit because the brownish coloured water certainly implies the boiler is on its way out.
Thanks again for your help

[Johnrgby]

Glad you sorted it, my friend

[Tunefootball]

Looks like I've been lucky the boiler never leaked.
Gravy colour with massive sediment on the last gallon that was drained off.
   

[Rome77]

Yet another super helpful thread on this forum! 

Our Ariston boiler has just started leaking - it seems that the weak point is at a weld (see picture). When turning off the in/out taps to the tank then the leak stops so it's not a complete disaster - yet! Since it's started leaking like this I guess I should replace it as not sure this can easily be repaired? 

The water heater has done about 6 years of service, though only used two to three months a year as it's a holiday house. I'm thinking of getting another Ariston as a replacement. I've seen reference in this thread to the store J. Parrilla selling Ariston. Does anyone know if they also carry out installation?

Each time we come back to the property after a period away, there's always a lot of "brown water" coming from the hot water tank for an initial period. Perhaps I should consider draining/cleaning the tank periodically - what do other people do in this regard? Any tips to improve the life time of the water heater greatly appreciated!

   

   

[Cotillo_Tom]

Two years is about the average life expectancy of a water heater, regardless of being used full time or just for holidays. I got three and a half years out of my last one. 

The brown water is a common problem. Sediment builds up inside the heater. I'm not aware of the effectiveness of draining them and as they are sealed, I don't see how you could clean inside (but very willing to learn, if anyone knows).

Replacement is very easy. Even if the replacement is not identical, there is a bracket you can get to adapt the existing fixings, so it is just hang it on the brackets and tighten the bolts.  

When draining, hold your hand over the input and it stops the output. Very handy when you need to empty the bucket.  

Tom.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

For a holiday home that is unoccupied for long periods I would definately drain before closing the property up - the last thing you want is a flood when you're not there. 6 years is very good! We change ours anyway every 2 years so that we don't get caught out on a Sunday or public holiday - gives us time to shop around for what we want without ending up with a panic buy 🤣
Don't know the shop you mentioned so can't help there, sorry.

[TrickyFox]

For a holiday home that is unoccupied for long periods I would definately drain before closing the property up - the last thing you want is a flood when you're not there. 6 years is very good! We change ours anyway every 2 years so that we don't get caught out on a Sunday or public holiday - gives us time to shop around for what we want without ending up with a panic buy 🤣
Don't know the shop you mentioned so can't help there, sorry.

Tamara, instead of changing every two years, whether it needs it or not, why not just keep a spare one?

[DavidP]

We have a Teka boiler and are only away 2/3 months per year and seem to get 4 to 5 years. yes we do wash!!!
Brown water:-time to change boiler 
Alledgedly if you change the sacrificial anode before 2 years there should not be a problem.The problem is getting an anode.
The last time my boiler went I opened it up and not only was the Anode used up so were the fixings for it!!
I love FV

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

For what it costs I want it changed when it suits me and my builder! I don't really want to store a large lump (80l size) like that anyway - I've got enough junk as it is🤣