How do you tell if a header tank is still in use?

zoothornrollo_2

This is probably a very silly question.
There are two old water tanks in the loft of my 1st floor flat (one of two in a converted terrace).
One is empty and disconnected; the other is full of water and apparently still connected with pipes.
I have a combi-boiler and have assumed that the empty / disconnected one is mine.
But the lady downstairs said the other day she 'thought' she had a combi boiler too - which makes me think the other tank, although full, is not in use.
Also we never hear it despite it being directly above our bedroom.
Would a header tank always be emptied if it was 'plumbed out'?
Is it just a case of getting her to turn the taps on and see if the level in the tank changes?
Only reason I haven't done this already is that we very rarely bump into her and never really feel like disturbing her in the evenings ...

bingo_bango

I would have expected the plumber when installing a combi boiler to drain the system. i.e. the header tank would be empty. They could have just closed the taps at the base of the tank and left it full which is rather lazy, but if you never hear water running, then it would suggest to me that it isn't in use.

If not in use, I would also expect to see rings above the water level as residue is deposited when the water evaporates (which it will). If the tank still looks full, then the inlet may well still be connected to the mains.

Can you not go and have a look at the neighbours boiler to see if it is actually a combi?

zoothornrollo_2

I could do - but I'm not entirely sure I'd know one sort of boiler from another, in terms of outward appearance....:o

macman

Then post the make and model of her boiler...
If she has a hot water tank with stored hot water, it's not a combi.
If the hot water is produced on demand when a hot tap is opened, it's a combi,

Seronera

I have found a number of older combis being run on open vent systems, so its quite possible she has a combi and also needs the tank in the loft. You can't be sure without going and doing some tests to see what causes the tank to fill from the ball valve.

Just don't 'assume' anything.

zoothornrollo_2

Seronera wrote: »

I have found a number of older combis being run on open vent systems, so its quite possible she has a combi and also needs the tank in the loft. You can't be sure without going and doing some tests to see what causes the tank to fill from the ball valve.

Just don't 'assume' anything.

Thanks - this is why I posted - I suspected it wasn't quite so straightforward.

(Reason is I'm looking to develop the loft and need to know whether I can whip her tank out or not.)

tea-bag

get a stick and hold up the ball valve, drain about 4 liters (2 coke bottles) from the system and see if the tank empties any.

It should be enough to know without needing inhibitor or bleeding as most tanks hold about 18 liters.

That will be your answer.

zoothornrollo_2

tea-bag wrote: »

get a stick and hold up the ball valve, drain about 4 liters (2 coke bottles) from the system and see if the tank empties any.

It should be enough to know without needing inhibitor or bleeding as most tanks hold about 18 liters.

That will be your answer.

Thanks.
When you say from the system - any tap, hot or cold?

tea-bag

zoothornrollo wrote: »

Thanks.
When you say from the system - any tap, hot or cold?

No fron the radiator drain point

it will look like this:



and be downstairs

zoothornrollo_2

ah right ok, good grief

surely there has to be an easier way to see if this blasted thing is in use....:mad:

leccyblue

zoothornrollo wrote: »

Reason is I'm looking to develop the loft and need to know whether I can whip her tank out or not.

You own the loft then?