Old Water Tank

Pixie5740

I have an old water tank in the attic which I think used to service all 3 flats in the building, I'm not sure. Each flat has isn't own combi boiler now and probably has for at least the last 15 years or so.

I want to remove the water tank but I'm not sure if it's something I should attempt to DIY. It's a metal tank with what looks like horse hair insulation round it. That tank also contains quite a lot of water which is my main concern. That water must have been sitting in there for a decade or two. I have no idea how I would empty the tank. There is still some pipework in place but I don't have a clue where it leads to.

What do you recommend? Should I attempt to DIY or get a plumber in? How should I dispose of the old manky water?

martinsurrey

Pixie5740 wrote: »

I have an old water tank in the attic which I think used to service all 3 flats in the building

What do you recommend? Should I attempt to DIY or get a plumber in? How should I dispose of the old manky water?

who are you? the freeholder? a leaseholder? both?

what do the leases say about maintenance costs and the loft space?

stator

Well you should be able to trace the pipes and see where they go. You'd need to use one of them to drain the tank. Tell your neighbours first incase they end up with no water. Otherwise to drain it you'll need a siphon, either a hand pump siphon or do it the old fashioned way and get a hosepipe and suck the water down (might end up with a mouthfull of dirty old water).

To remove it from the loft you'll have to cut it up I imagine, if it's big enough for 3 flats.

Identify that insulation first. If you're unsure what it is get it tested for asbestos. Wear full protective gear until you know

ariba10

You could possibly shut off or block the outlet and wait and see who complains??

Pixie5740

martinsurrey wrote: »

who are you? the freeholder? a leaseholder? both?

what do the leases say about maintenance costs and the loft space?

I'm in Scotland so there are no freeholders or leaseholders. I own the whole attic.

Pixie5740

stator wrote: »

Well you should be able to trace the pipes and see where they go. You'd need to use one of them to drain the tank. Tell your neighbours first incase they end up with no water. Otherwise to drain it you'll need a siphon, either a hand pump siphon or do it the old fashioned way and get a hosepipe and suck the water down (might end up with a mouthfull of dirty old water).

To remove it from the loft you'll have to cut it up I imagine, if it's big enough for 3 flats.

Identify that insulation first. If you're unsure what it is get it tested for asbestos. Wear full protective gear until you know

I'm not entirely sure if it did service all 3 flats or just mine. From speaking with my neighbours I don't think anyone uses water from that tank. Everyone is connect to mains water with hot water coming from combi boilers.

I've tried tracing some of the pipes but some go nowhere. Eventually you just find a pipe that stops in mid-air or disappears under floors and behind walls.

I did think about siphoning the water out. My main concern is the bacteria lurking in the water.

stator

Your neighbours probably don't have a clue where their water comes from apart from "the tap".
Could easily be supplying water to one of their showers etc

Pixie5740

Possibly. Perhaps it's best I have a plumber look at it. Even if the tank was supplying water to a neighbour I think I could still have it removed but I should check the deeds.

stator

A plumber wouldn't be able to tell where the pipes go without taking up floorboards or opening walls. Might as well do it yourself.
Turn off the supply of water into the tank and see if anyone complains

FreeBear

stator wrote: »

Turn off the supply of water into the tank and see if anyone complains

Or put some tracing dye in the water and wait for the screams - This one would do the job http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/d20/Testing+%26+Reporting/sd2752/Drain+Tracing+Dye/p19855

For a cheaper alternative, a bottle of food colouring would also work.