Insulating cold water tank

kimmi_b

Hope someone can help.

Have just had a moment of sheer panic after realising that we have *probably* got an un-insulated cold water tank in our loft (new tank installed this year, no idea if it was installed with insulation or not).

We are completely brassic till next payday - can someone advise of the most MSE way to effectively insulate the tank?

Ta!

Inforapennyinforapound

I suggest layers of old blankets wrapped around the tank,but you dont know if its insulated?You really need to have a look at it.

Make sure that any loft insulation under the tank is removed in order for heat to rise into the tank....and suggest keep the loft hatch slightly open.

27col

If you can't afford a fitted jacket, then throw an old duvet or similar over it. Make sure the loft insulation does not go underneath the tank. But whatever you do, do something quickly.

kimmi_b

Thanks to all who have replied - I think I panicked too early! have just checked Wickes site who have a jacket for £8 for a 25 gallon tank - we can defo afford that. For some daftc reason I thought they would be more expensive than that

Also have managed to get hold of the other half who "is sure that something black is wrapped around it" So I will send him up there tonight to check and double check, and while he is up there he can get the decs down! Lol.

no.1swimmum

I hope that you don't mind me butting in - my tank has a 'jacket' around it but only very thick plastic across the top. Do I need anything else across the top of will this be OK. Thanks

ormus

anything you put over it will help. old blankets or duvets are great.
old clothing or bubble wrap. polysterene etc...
in fact anything that traps air. even corrugated cardboard. the thick stuff.
if required, tie it all on with string or wire. or use tape.

the more layers the better.

paddy's_mum

Old carpet .. cheap as chips if you beg it out of someone's skip, flexible, pretty tough and if it's made mostly of wool, fire resistant into the bargain.

Gene_Hunt_2

kimmi_b wrote: »

Also have managed to get hold of the other half who "is sure that something black is wrapped around it"

Yeah, that bin bag will do the job.:rotfl:

27col

A lot of cold water tanks are 50 gallons so it would be as well to make sure of the dimensions of yours before buying a jacket. Tank jackets include a top cover, usually the jacket is all in one piece. So you need to put a bit of plywood or a plastic tank cover over the top for the insulation jacket to sit on.

McKneff

As a mere woman:eek: i am having trouble understanding this thread.

I can understand why you would need a jacket for a hot water cylinder but why do you need insulation for a cold water tank. we have always just had a cold water tank in the loft as it is. Nothing on it or around it. Its never likely to freeze (or so I thought) any way it hasnt up to now. (in 43 years of being a householder)
Sorry If Im being thick but could someone explain please.

ormus

if you go into any loft in the summer itll be boiling.
go up there in the winter and its freezing. more so now with modern insulation. (the loft will be the same temp as the external temps).
yrs ago, houses, with little or no insulation, had the heat from below to keep the loft above zero in winter.