Hot Water Cylinder Replacementfor Homes Across Reading
Replacing worn, leaking or undersized cylinders so hot water runs reliably again.
320+ reviews from Checkatrade · 2-year guarantee
28 years' experience
Residential, commercial and industrial
320+ reviews
from Checkatrade
2-year guarantee
On all our workmanship
£10 million insured
Public and employer's liability
24/7 emergency call-outs
Same-day service guaranteed
Hot Water Cylinder Replacement
What hot water cylinder replacement involves
A hot water cylinder stores heated water ready for use at taps, showers and baths, separate from any equipment that generates the heat. Over time cylinders corrode internally, their insulation fails, or they simply become too small for a household's needs. Replacement means removing the old cylinder and fitting a new one, correctly sized and connected to the existing pipework.
This service suits households in Reading whose cylinder is leaking, no longer holds heat well, makes banging or knocking noises, or can't keep up with demand from a growing family or an extra bathroom. It also suits anyone moving from an old vented cylinder to an unvented system for better pressure, or simply replacing like-for-like when a cylinder reaches the end of its working life.
Replacement is needed once a cylinder starts leaking from its casing or fittings, when the immersion element or thermostat pocket has corroded beyond repair, when water comes out lukewarm despite the heating working, or when a survey shows internal corrosion that repair won't fix. Cylinders that are decades old are also worth replacing proactively before they fail and cause water damage.
Professional installation matters because a cylinder holds a large volume of hot water under pressure, and unvented systems in particular have safety devices that must be fitted and set up correctly. Mitchell Antrobus has fitted and replaced hot water cylinders throughout his 28 years in the trade, sizing and connecting each one to match the property's plumbing and hot water demand.
Why it matters
What happens if a failing cylinder is left in place
A cylinder nearing the end of its life doesn't usually fail without warning signs. Corrosion inside the tank thins the metal gradually, insulation breaks down so water cools faster, and fittings around the base start to weep before they fail outright.
Left in place, a leaking cylinder can release a significant amount of water in a short space of time, since most cylinders hold well over a hundred litres. Airing cupboards, floors below and ceilings in the room underneath are all at risk of water damage once a leak takes hold, and a slow leak can go unnoticed for some time in a cupboard that isn't checked often.
The cost of leaving a failing cylinder rises sharply once it does let go: a straightforward planned replacement turns into an emergency callout plus drying out, flooring repair and possibly redecoration. Cylinders that are undersized for a household also cost more in wasted reheating cycles and inconvenience than the price of replacing them with a correctly sized unit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Ignoring a slow drip from the base of the cylinder or its fittings
- Ignoring reduced hot water pressure or dropping temperature rather than investigating
- Replacing a cylinder with one the same size when household demand has grown
- Assuming an old cylinder is safe simply because it hasn't failed yet
- Leaving a corroded immersion heater in place rather than having it checked
Our process
How your hot water cylinder replacement job runs.
- Step 1
Call or enquire
Ring Mitchell on 07810 646762 or send an enquiry. Tell him what's happening and he'll tell you straight away whether it's an emergency or a planned job.
- Step 2
Visit and diagnosis
Mitchell comes out, finds the cause and explains it in plain English. Call-outs are £85 inc VAT, plus £85 inc VAT for the first hour of work.
- Step 3
Clear quote
You're told what needs doing and what it costs before work starts. Larger jobs are booked in with a 5% deposit.
- Step 4
The work
Mitchell and his apprentice Bradley carry out the work, bringing in trusted tilers, plasterers and electricians where a job needs them. Larger jobs are paid daily as they progress.
- Step 5
Test and guarantee
Everything is tested for leaks and correct operation before we leave, the area is cleaned up, and the work is backed by our 2-year guarantee.
What you get
The difference it makes.
Fast turnaround
Most straightforward cylinder replacements are completed in a single visit, with hot water restored the same day wherever access and parts allow.
Correctly sized systems
Mitchell sizes the replacement cylinder against the property's number of bathrooms and typical usage, avoiding the common mistake of fitting a like-for-like unit that's already too small.
Safe, properly set up installation
Unvented cylinders are fitted with the correct safety devices set up and checked as part of the installation, and vented systems are connected correctly to the existing cold feed and expansion arrangement.
Longer service life
A correctly installed cylinder, fitted with the right fittings and insulation, is set up to last as long as it's designed to rather than failing early through poor installation.
Lower running costs
A well-insulated, correctly sized cylinder holds heat for longer and reheats less often, which reduces energy used on hot water storage.
Peace of mind
Old cylinders are removed and disposed of properly, and the new installation is tested thoroughly for leaks and pressure before Mitchell leaves site.
Why CBS
Who'll be doing the work.
CBS Plumbing and Heating is run by Mitchell Antrobus, who has 28 years in the plumbing and heating industry across residential, commercial and industrial installation, servicing and repairs. That background is why your hot water cylinder replacement job gets diagnosed properly the first time rather than patched and left.
Day to day you'll deal with Mitchell and his apprentice Bradley. On bathroom jobs, Mitchell brings in experienced tilers, plasterers and electricians he works with regularly, so you have one point of contact from the first call to the finished room.
CBS has 320+ reviews from Checkatrade, carries £10 million public liability and £10 million employer's liability insurance, and guarantees its work for 2 years. We cover Reading, High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Wokingham, Henley-on-Thames, Bracknell and Chalfont St Giles.
About CBSIn detail
Hot water cylinder replacement in detail
Cylinder replacement varies depending on the type of cylinder, the property's pipework and the household's hot water demand.
Vented cylinders
Vented cylinders, fed from a cold water storage tank in the loft, are the traditional setup found in many older Reading homes. Replacement involves draining the existing cylinder, disconnecting the cold feed, vent pipe and hot water outlet, then fitting and reconnecting a new cylinder of matching or improved capacity. Where the old tank and pipework are in good condition, they're reused; where they've corroded or are undersized, they're addressed as part of the same job.
Unvented cylinders
Unvented cylinders take mains-fed cold water directly and don't need a loft tank, giving stronger pressure at showers and taps. Replacing one means fitting the cylinder with its full set of safety devices, pressure and temperature relief valves, expansion vessel and tundish, all set up to the correct pressures for the property's incoming mains supply. Every device is checked and tested as part of the installation rather than assumed to be correct out of the box.
Read more
Sizing for household demand
Cylinder capacity is matched to the number of bathrooms, occupants and typical usage patterns rather than simply matching what was there before. A household that has added an en-suite or grown in size since the existing cylinder was fitted often needs a larger unit, and getting this right at replacement avoids running out of hot water at peak times.
Removal and disposal
Old cylinders are heavy, hold residual water, and need careful handling to get out of an airing cupboard or loft space without damage to the surrounding property. Mitchell removes and disposes of the old unit as part of the job, leaving the space clean and ready for the new cylinder.
Pipework and fittings
Existing pipework connecting to the cylinder is inspected as part of the job, since old valves, unions or isolation points are often original and worth replacing at the same time to avoid a second job later. This includes checking the expansion relief arrangement and any thermostatic mixing valves feeding bathrooms.
Residential properties of all ages
Cylinder replacement is carried out in everything from period Reading properties with older tank-fed systems to newer builds already running mains-fed unvented cylinders. The approach adapts to what's already installed, always aiming to reuse sound pipework and only replace what genuinely needs replacing.
Related services
Hot Water Cylinder Replacement near you
Good to know
Hot Water Cylinder Replacement questions, answered.
Can't see your question? Call Mitchell on 07810 646762 or send an enquiry.
How long does cylinder replacement take?
+
Most vented and unvented cylinder replacements are completed within a single day, including draining, removal, fitting and testing, provided access to the airing cupboard or plant space is straightforward.
What happens to my old cylinder?
+
It's drained, disconnected and removed from the property as part of the job, so there's nothing left for the household to deal with afterwards.
How long does a new hot water cylinder last?
+
A properly installed cylinder typically gives many years of reliable service, though lifespan depends on water quality, usage and how well it's maintained, which Mitchell can advise on for your property.
Do you replace cylinders outside Reading?
+
Yes, the team covers Reading plus High Wycombe, Maidenhead, Marlow, Beaconsfield, Wokingham, Henley-on-Thames, Bracknell and Chalfont St Giles.
Can you tell if my cylinder needs replacing rather than repairing?
+
Mitchell will assess the cylinder on site, checking for corrosion, leaks and the condition of fittings, and give an honest view on whether repair is realistic or replacement is the better option.
What do you charge to come out?
+
Our call-out is £85 including VAT, plus £85 including VAT for the first hour of work. You'll know the price of anything beyond that before we start.
How do payments work on bigger jobs?
+
Larger jobs such as a hot water cylinder replacement project are booked in with a 5% deposit, then paid daily as the work progresses, so you're never paying far ahead of what's been done.
Is the work guaranteed?
+
Yes. Our workmanship is guaranteed for 2 years.
Are you insured?
+
Yes. We hold £10 million public liability and £10 million employer's liability insurance.
Can you come out in an emergency?
+
Yes. Emergency call-outs run 24/7 and we guarantee same-day service. Call 07810 646762. Standard working hours are 8am to 5pm.
Get your hot water sorted
If your cylinder is leaking, underperforming or simply old, call CBS Plumbing and Heating for a straightforward replacement across Reading and the surrounding areas.
Next step
Get it fixed properly,
without the wait.
Tell us what you need and Mitchell will get back to you quickly. Same-day service guaranteed, clear prices before we start, and a 2-year guarantee on our work.
Prefer to talk? Call Mitchell07810 646762Emergency call-outs 24/7 · Standard hours 8am–5pm