Attic tank question

ruicosta10

We have a plastic tank in the attic, been there for quite a few years. It doesn't have a cover over it, and hasn't been cleaned ever as far as I know. The water feels a bit weird these days, and honestly you don't feel very clean after a shower, could the two things be related? I heard recently you should clean out your tank every six months to a year, but I doubt anyone does that... also at this stage, should it be disinfected?

crosstownk

I never clean out the tank but I do have a cover over it. If your concerned maybe you should drain it down by tying up the ball cock and letting a tap run, flush toilets etc. Then clean it out and buy a cover for it. That will give you peace of mind if nothing else. If you do use cleaning agents to clean it out it might be an idea to fill and drain the tank a few times to rinse it out.

I've no idea how your central heating fills with water - so to be sure make sure your heating is off when you are draining and filling - better safe than sorry!

The Raspberrier

Hopefully, you dont have bats in your attic.:eek:

Reyman

I'd definitely cover the tank for two reasons:

1. The water in the bathroom tap is coming straight off that tank. You're probably drinking it or at least brushing your teeth in it.
2. The entire tank should be insulated with 2" aeroboard above and glassfibre or similar on the sides. Likewise the pipes in the attic.
Otherwise if you're out of the house for a week or two in the winter your pipes may freeze and burst when they thaw. You'll lose all your ceilings, carpets etc.. I've seen it happen!

ruicosta10

lol @ Raspberrier, yep, that'd be a distinct health risk...

Thanks for the advice chaps, dunno why the tank wasn't covered in the first place by the installer, laziness?

Pataman

Dont forget if you are covering it, to leave room for the expansion pipe to drain back into the tank.

ScottishDanny

I remember when I was a kid we moved to a house in the country and the water tasted funny. My Dad eventually got round to inspecting the water tank in the attic - two words 'pigeon cemetery'! :eek:

I got our plumbing system overhauled when I bought my house. The lads put in a sealed system so there are no water tanks at all now. I was helping them out, you should see the crud that sits in the pipes!

ruicosta10

@ ScottishDanny... Our pipes looked decayed as all hell, which pipes would be worth replacing in/around the tank?