Our other sites:

What do you do if the element won’t loosen?

What to do if the element won’t loosen

Shop for Immersion Heater Spanners

Image of a DIYer who has become frustrated because they cannot undo their immersion heater element Try not to get frustrated – DIYers who allow a stiff immersion heater element to get to them often end up doing damage to their hot water cylinder and having to pay for the whole thing to be replaced!

So why isn’t it loosening?

Image to illustrate the jointing compound that plumbers or DIYers sometimes use to stop an immersion heater element from leaking Some tradesmen or DIYers pad out the thread on the outside of immersion heater elements with things like PTFE tape, jointing compound, sealant or even super glue because they are worried about leaks.

Immersion heater elements that have been in situ for a long time can also seize inside the copper boss. This can make it more difficult to loosen and remove an immersion heater element from a hot water cylinder.

What can you do to solve the problem?

Image of a screwdriver, blowtorch and stanley knife, which will be used for loosening a stubborn immersion heater element To help to solve the problem, you will need a blowtorch. You may also need a screwdriver and a Stanley knife if your tank is insulated with polyurethane foam.
Image of a DIYer removing more insulation from around their immersion heater element so that they can apply heat to it with a blowtorch It’s possible to loosen the joint by applying heat around the edge of the immersion heater element. Make sure your immersion heater element is clear of all insulation, removing more foam if necessary. Unscrew and remove the thermostat, if you haven’t done so already.
Image of a DIYer applying heat around the outsides of the immersion heater element with a blowtorch

Step 1 – Apply heat

Apply heat around the edges of the immersion heater element with the blow torch.

This heat will cause the copper in the boss to expand faster than the metal at the base of the immersion heater element, which will loosen the grip of the screw thread inside the boss. This should make it easier to loosen the immersion heater element.

Image of DIYer trying to remove an immersion heater element after heating around the edge of it with a blowtorch

Step 2 – Attempt to loosen element

With a little luck, the application of heat should have loosened the immersion heater element to the point where it will turn when you tap your spanner handle with a hammer.

Image to illustrate going back to the beginning of step 1 and repeating steps 1 and 2 Repeat steps 1 and 2 until the immersion heater element is loose enough to move.

As soon as you can see it moving when you tap the spanner handle with a hammer, move on to step 3.

Image of a DIYer removing the immersion heater element from a hot water cylinder by hand

Step 3 – Remove immersion heater element

Once the loosened immersion heater element has cooled, remove it by hand.

Wonkee Donkee Tools
Logo