Getting old water tanks out of the loft?

HugoSP

Poppycat wrote: »

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

Why not drill the rivets out then beat it apart with a hammer?

Just an idea, I don't know how practical that would be. Obviously my tin snips idea didn't go down too well with rockin plumber, so this suggestion comes with the caviat that it too could be complete and utter carp :rotfl:

Poppycat

Thanks we did the work before you mentioned tin snips. The rivets I think would be harder job they looks well fastened

rockin_plumber

Poppycat wrote: »

Thanks we did the work before you mentioned tin snips. The rivets I think would be harder job they looks well fastened

Being a plumber I find this tin snips idea quite amusing :rotfl:

Try to cut a saucepan up with a pair of scissors and you should get the same effect :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Tin Snips :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Poppycat

Hey we are pleased they have gone, just some more junk we want rid from attic that other people left. Then we will get some insulation as this house is damn cold house and next to no insulation. Then we will board loft out and get some kingspan on the joists and have some extra space

Hitch

Working with metal for a living I often get asked about doing this.

If you want to be cheap yet safe, use a reciprocating saw if you have one, or more likely, a jigsaw.
A few quality blades will be essential, as will some cutting lubricant. Or even some engine oil and a paint brush is better than nothing. Water will be next to useless.
Should only take about half an hour, to cut into managable pieces.

For a few tips on cutting metal have a look at this page on Ultimate Handyman

The other way is a grinder and thin cuting disc, but i dont reccomend this for a diyer to use in this situation.


Work out how to cut it to minimise cutting, yet still be light enough to handle safely.

benood

Well I finally cut them up and now they're out - the reciprocating saw did a good job but I should have set the speed lower and used cutting oil because although it was quite a quick job in the end I went through 5 or 6 blades.

Eyesparky

Wish I had found this thread a few days ago. I just removed one and ended up using a jigsaw ... wish I had thought of lubricating oils, may have saved a few blades. I know for next time.

agent_orange_2

benood wrote: »

- too big to get through the hatch.

You could always enlarge the hatch and maybe put in a loft ladder at the same time. Messy job though.

moonrakerz

My Niece and her husband converted an old Victorian water tower into a house - you think you have a problem !

They got a scrap metal dealer in who removed the massive water tank for the value of the metal.

Hitch

Glad to have helped out