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Author:
SMC (IL)
Our daughter bought a 100 year old house. There is a newer water heater. Closeby, there is a very old metal tank. It is probably 5 feet tall and about 2 feet wide. It is not a holding tank. (There is holding tank near boiler).
This old tank seems to be plumbed to get water in, then water out, going toward water heater.
It is leaking and rusty. (House inspection missed leak!)
Was going to call plumber, but this is so old, don’t know if this young plumber would have any idea what it is.
I’ve been looking all over the internet. I saw something called a range boiler, but not sure if it’s that.
They need to know how to proceed. Not sure why, if not needed, when new water heater put in, why not by-passed or taken out? Would be good to be educated before calling plumber. Anyone know what this is, and if needed?
Thank you.
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Author:
packy (MA)
if it is an uninsulated tank then it is a 'tempering' tank.
meant to have the cold water go to it so it can absorb some of the heat inside the cellar.
this way you are not sending really cold water into the heater.
supposed to save a little money on water heating costs.
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Author:
hj (AZ)
There are several possibilities, but would need a photo to determine which it is.
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Author:
SMC (IL)
[postimg.cc]
[postimg.cc]
1st pic underside...other 2 best I could take of mystery tank next to water heater
Edited 3 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
i believe packy 'nailed it'
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
packy (MA)
every once in a while I get one right..
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
... even a stopped 24 hour format clock is correct once a day ...
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
that type of stand was used under water heater tanks with a gas "side arm" burner, or"hairpin" heater in a boiler.
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Author:
SMC (IL)
Are you saying that at one time this tank might have been heated?
I guess what we need help with from experienced plumbers such as answering here(thank you!) is where do we proceed from here? This very old tank started to leak....don’t want flood. Should it be replaced? With what? Or can it be removed and water directed to newer water heater with no ill effects?
Wondering, too, how safe that holding tank is, though probably ok, since water ultimately heated.
Thanks in advance!
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
assuming your new water heater is 'fed' water from the 'unknown' tank AND said tank is NOT connected to a boiler:
the tank may safely be eliminated / bypassed
however
leave it in place unconnected for a while 'just in case'
==============================================
"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
SMC (IL)
Thank you. Will have to check boiler connections. There have been so many costly repairs the inspector missed.
This is another. Completely frustrating. Thanks again.
Edited 1 times.
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