Getting old water tanks out of the loft?

benood

Hi - We have two old, disconnected, and empty galvanised water tanks in the loft - too big to get through the hatch. Can anyone suggest the easiest/cheapest ways of getting rid of them. We're about to have the roof retiled if this makes any difference.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Mecoconuts

Are you sure they don't fit through the hatch as they must have got up there somehow.

Has the hatch been modified ?

My old galvanised tank looked too big to go through my hatch but with the pipes removed and tank lifted on it's end it EXACTLY fitted through the hatch.

It was a nightmare to get down though due to the sheer weight. It needed at least 4 of us to get it down as the ladders had to be removed.

HugoSP

Quite often they wer put up before the ceiling joists etc were fully inserted.

This was discussed in detail before and I suggested tin snips. Available from DIY stores for a few quid.

Don't use an angle grinder or disc cutter, or any other hot working tool - unless you want a house fire!

buglawton

If you are really about to have the roof retiled, maybe you can hire a small crane to take the tanks out once the old tiles are off!

rockin_plumber

HugoSP wrote: »

Quite often they wer put up before the ceiling joists etc were fully inserted.

This was discussed in detail before and I suggested tin snips. Available from DIY stores for a few quid.

Don't use an angle grinder or disc cutter, or any other hot working tool - unless you want a house fire!

:rotfl: Hit thanks instead of quote

Tin Snips....... You may as well use a pair of Scissors for the use they would be.......

As I have said...... A reciprocating saw would be the best option....... And the quickest.....
A jigsaw with a metal blade will do the job but it will be a long slow job....
You can hire a reciprocating saw from all good hire centres...

Here is an example

And dont bother with a cordless one either......
Use a 240v or 110v model

Avoriaz

Why do you want to remove them?

Unless you need the space, just leave them up there.

We have an old tank in our loft that has been there since we bought the house about 22 years ago.

Poppycat

We took ours out last Thursday two large tanks. We had to break the lightest one up into 4 pieces and the other into two to get through loft hatch and it isn't a small hatch either Took two loads to tip.

We used a jigsaw with a metal blade, got 3 for £3.50 at local hardware store

They are heavy metal zinc galvanised water tanks with rivets on the side.

See this thread

Old water tank in loft want rid

Little_John

Im not sure how big your tank may be but we use a large hammer our our tank it remained in 1 peice we just hit the hell out of it till it was a size it would fit though the hatch. it was fun.

Poppycat

Forgot to say it did take about 2 hours or so to cut up had to keep stopping as blade and hot. In end we just put water on the blade with a cloth to cool in down but jigsaw then got hot so had to let that cool down. It did work but its really noisy and dirty job. It was a real killer getting it down from loft too

benood

Thanks for all the suggestions, don't know how I missed last weeks thread!

I was expecting to use an angle grinder so the insurance company can thank MSE! :eek:

Poppycat

Dont forget please wear some googles, my other hand had a metal bit in his eye, fortunately it didnt stay in for long but we got some goggles after that there about £1.50 at Wilko's, its worth every penny.