Water tank lid issues HELP! Plz

usman122

Hi,

I have recently bought a new property with a water tank in the loft. It currently has no lid and is in need of pipe insulation.

I wanted to ask is it possible for a water tank to be 'Out of shape'?
the current dimensions are 112cm(L), 64cm(W at the edges) and 73cm(W in the middle)

The lids which I have found online and in toolstation seem to be 122cm (L), 64cm(W).

Is my tank a funny shape or is it infact 'Out of shape'.

What are the possible options to fix this ?
1. make custom lid
2. fix the tank?
3. any other?

Thanks in advance

har0ld

Sounds out of shape. Have you thought of replacing it with a completely new one? I know that money may well be an issue but - the new tanks come with good insulation and are completely sealed when the lid is on (they even come fitted with spider traps on the vents). This means that instead of having skanky dead pigeon in loft tank water that you are then using around the house, you have drinking water all around the house including the hot water and not just on the cold water mains taps!!

garethgas

I'd change it if I were you. They're not very expensive and it does sound as if its distorted.

As for drinking it....no way Pedro!

keystone

I would say its slightly out of shape due to the volume of water inside. Don't forget its flexible. Is probably distored because it hasn't had a lid on it. Try fitting a lid before going to the expense of fitting a new tank altogether.

Cheers

27col

Just lay a piece of plywood on the tank. In fact, I had a tank for many years that just had a piece of plaster board covering it. I did have to change that eventually as it began to sag.

Canucklehead

usman122 wrote: »

Hi,

I have recently bought a new property with a water tank in the loft. It currently has no lid and is in need of pipe insulation.

I wanted to ask is it possible for a water tank to be 'Out of shape'?
the current dimensions are 112cm(L), 64cm(W at the edges) and 73cm(W in the middle)

The lids which I have found online and in toolstation seem to be 122cm (L), 64cm(W).

Is my tank a funny shape or is it infact 'Out of shape'.

What are the possible options to fix this ?
1. make custom lid
2. fix the tank?
3. any other?

Thanks in advance

If you look inside you might find a rusty looking mess in the bottom of the tank, as one make of tank used to have a white coated metal strap holding the sides together.

Another make (Ferham IIRC) has/had aluminium tubes along the outside that slot into holes at each end to stabilise the sides.

If you cover it with something yourself use something that will not rot and/or attract insects.

GSR

usman122

Thanks for all the responses guys much appreciated. ;-)

What would be the best way to make a lid for the tank?

plywood,
plastic?

ListysDad

Usman. When you say 'new property' do you mean new to you or brand new - as in just built? The reason I ask is because if its brand new the lack of a lid is a snag and should be resolved by the builder as its doesn't comply with regs.
If its simply new to you then turn off your main, drain all the hot water down and physically clean it out. Then make a lid from any material THAT DOES NOT ROT. Timber is no good as the spraying/splashing from the ball valve coupled with the high humidity from the expansion pipe from your HW cylinder WILL cause anything organic to rot. Take your sizes to a decent plumbers merchant and get a proper lid. It is NOT distorted as some have said because many tanks have bowed sides. Make sure you get a byelaw kit with the lid too to keep the tank clean for as long as poss.
Lastly, insulation. Make sure you properly insulate both the pipework and the tank. If you have the full compliment of loft insulation DO NOT have any under the tank and, if you can, create a 'funnel' around the sides to the base so what heat does leak out from below is directed where it does most good. For pipework, DO NOT put that grey foam stuff on as it CAN NOT protect against freezing. Google 'FreezeFree' to get some advice and learn more.