Cold water tank, what does it feed?

markfj

Hi all

Just a quick question

Ventured into my loft (not all the way in) for the first time since buying a new house. It was built in the 60's

Theres a plastic water tank in there, and its not well insulated and I can see the lid fits poorly and also isn't insulated

My main questions is if any has any idea what it likely feeds, ive read some cold water tanks feed most taps other than the kitchen tap which is normally mains, but from what I can see theres 2 pipes coming from it, and one of those would be the overflow pipe.

Ive heard some pretty dirty things could be lurking inside, such as insects or wildlife, so ive not not looked inside but will look at getting ir sorted before we move in, especially if there a chance it does supply our bathing/hand wash water

cheers

martinthebandit

I think your over thinking things.

Jonesya

The main cold water tank normally feeds your bath tap and possibly a shower. Kitchen sinks and bathroom basins are normally fed directly from the water supply.

There should be a minimum of 3 pipes connected to it - the cold supply to the float valve which fills it, an over-flow, and at least one pipe taking the water to the taps it supplies. There may be another connector going off to supply the hot water tank, or for direct connections to power showers etc.

Modern tanks are quite well sealed, with tight fitting lids and mesh traps to prevent insects getting in through the air vent and over-flow. They should normally have some insulation on the sides and lid to prevent freezing.

Mr.Generous

Depending on your boiler type it may feed the hot water cylinder too. They can be really dirty from dust and debris, wildlife extremely unlikely. Mains Water is chlorinated - insects are not too keen.

markfj

Thanks,

Ive got a back boiler, I meant to attach a photo in the main post



Probably abit too cautious but, just wanted to make sure its all safe etc. Mostly as i said my house was built in the 60's and lived in by the same person since and hasnt been modernised much at all

Ectophile

Try looking inside. You may be surprised how clean the water is, even if there are odd bits of debris at the bottom of the tank.


In houses with cold tanks, the tank normally supplies everything except the cold water in the kitchen. That includes the hot water, which is filled off the cold tank. That said, electric showers are usually fed off the mains water.



That means that every time you flush the loo, wash your hands or whatever, the water in the tank is being replenished with fresh water.



I would recommend getting the tank lagged, and get a lid that fits properly, and is insulated. You may need it if there's a cold snap. But they don't seem inclined to freeze. The people who installed mine were sensible enough to install the cold tank over the airing cupboard, and missed out the loft insulation directly underneath the tank.

JimmyChanga

Usually supply everything except the kitchen sink. Though in some dodgy installs I've seen them supply that too.
Being a 60s house the tank may also be made of asbestolux. Don't freak out though. I prefer combi boiler installs and just disconnecting tanks. If a relatively small house then no need for a cylinder either.

chrisw

You can tell which is fed from the water tank by turning off the main stopcock.

Anything still running after a few seconds will be tank fed.

ben501

Maybe a daft comment, but do you know that it actually has any water in it (have you heard it filling or emptying)?
I found a water tank in my attic after I'd moved, but it was just an empty container, left over from when the house had a hot water tank in the airing cupboard. The pipes were still in place, but not connected to anything.

stator

In my house it feeds the Hot Water Tank and the mixer Shower

Kitchen and bathroom taps are fed directly from mains.

thorganby

You actually have two tanks in your loft. The small one above is the feed and expansion tank for the central heating and the large round one is the feed and expansion tank for the hot water cylinder and most likely feeds nothing else.