how to stop attic tank freezing?

WildOscar · 29-12-2010 10:43am #1

They say another cold snap is coming.

Just wondered if you put salt in the attic tank would it stop it freezing. Would it cause any harm? I know it would have to be replaced often but that is better than burst pipes

Buford T Justice · 29-12-2010 10:50am

Would you like brushing your teeth or having a shower with salt water?

Insulate the top and sides of the tank, but not the bottom of the tank if its less than 300mm from the ceiling below. Remove insulation from the ceiling under the tank too to allow the heat to rise to the tank.

If needs be, fit a frost stat with an IR bulb or a heater to the attic to prevent it getting too cold up there.

Avns1s · 29-12-2010 10:52am

I presume you are talking about the heating tank as opposed to the storage tank. You can get antifreeze which includes a corrosion inhibitor for your heating system and it is to be recommended to be honest.

Putting salt in your tanks would cause corrosion, would only lower the freezing point by a couple of degrees (See the sea freezing in the cold conditions) and salt in your cold water storage tank will contaminate the water.

shawnee · 29-12-2010 4:41pm

Had tank frozen during spell and fitted a socket and infra red bulb (cost around 80 euro) It has a thermostat and will come on when temp drops below freezing. Thawed out my freeze and I would recommend it.;)

WildOscar · 29-12-2010 4:47pm

shawnee wrote: »

Had tank frozen during spell and fitted a socket and infra red bulb (cost around 80 euro) It has a thermostat and will come on when temp drops below freezing. Thawed out my freeze and I would recommend it.;)

have you a link to it? You fitted socket in attic? i am not good with electrics and would prefer something that could be plugged downstairs but also with a stat. Is it under tank you put the ir or over it?

meercat · 29-12-2010 5:17pm

http://www.hardwareireland.ie/store/product.php?id=1074
if you cant install a socket in the attic for it, get a good quality extension lead and plug it into bedroom socket and run lead through trap door
make sure lead is FULLY uncoiled for safety
this would be a temporary solution

Buford T Justice · 30-12-2010 1:31am

If you are going for the lamp and stat or frost watch heater option, then best thing to do would be get a sparks in for the job.

indie armada · 30-12-2010 2:20am

shawnee wrote: »

Had tank frozen during spell and fitted a socket and infra red bulb (cost around 80 euro) It has a thermostat and will come on when temp drops below freezing. Thawed out my freeze and I would recommend it.;)

how did those few bits cost 80 euro? did that include a sparks to fit it?
the infared bulb with the frost stat seems to be the most popular option.
regardless of what option you go for id suggest fitting some sort of visual indication for when the heat lamp is on, any type of heating device, lamp, or element will leave its mark on your esb bill especially if its on for long periods without you knowing about it. as soon as i get my hands on a frost stat ill be fitting an ir bulb in a reflective cage over my tank and re-lagging a lot of the pipes too.

Buford T Justice · 30-12-2010 9:51am

indie armada wrote: »

how did those few bits cost 80 euro? did that include a sparks to fit it?

Very much doubt that it included a sparks. Depending on which part of the country you buy it, you need a Frost Stat, which could be around €40, you need cable, a porcelain bulb holder, a bulb junction box etc.... doesn't be long adding up.

exaisle · 08-01-2011 12:08pm

meercat wrote: »

http://www.hardwareireland.ie/store/product.php?id=1074
if you cant install a socket in the attic for it, get a good quality extension lead and plug it into bedroom socket and run lead through trap door
make sure lead is FULLY uncoiled for safety
this would be a temporary solution

+1

Definintely a temporary solution!
If you're going to leave your trapdoor even a little bit open, it will allow heat to escape from the living areas of the house and probably make the installation of a frost stat and lamp unnecessary.

Micky Dolenz · 08-01-2011 12:11pm

You can buy heaters with frost stat built in, all you do is plug it in.

fifilarue · 08-01-2011 12:22pm

My tank froze last year (Jan 09) and when thaw started, it caused the tank itself to leak into the room below and destroyed the work that I had literally just had completed (dry-lined, re-plastered and floors sanded etc.). It had been a real struggle to put aside the money to have the work done. So, if I had known that I could have avoided this by spending E80, I would have.

WildOscar · 08-01-2011 2:26pm

exaisle wrote: »

Definintely a temporary solution

cold weather is temporary too

Sparkpea · 08-01-2011 3:19pm

Micky Dolenz wrote: »

You can buy heaters with frost stat built in, all you do is plug it in.

fitted one of the 600w dimplex frost watchers yesterday, the frost stat for it is +10 degrees so imo it would be on a bloody lot! was only 2m away from fuseboard in kitchen so wired it to that with a spare in cupboard for the client to turn it on and off as she pleases, wouldnt like to be paying the electric bill for a heater to come on when temp drops to 10 degrees

WildOscar · 08-01-2011 5:39pm

Sparkpea wrote: »

fitted one of the 600w dimplex frost watchers yesterday, the frost stat for it is +10 degrees so imo it would be on a bloody lot! was only 2m away from fuseboard in kitchen so wired it to that with a spare in cupboard for the client to turn it on and off as she pleases, wouldnt like to be paying the electric bill for a heater to come on when temp drops to 10 degrees

agree,mine is under 10 degrees now
is this it?

Sparkpea · 08-01-2011 7:43pm

yeah pretty much!

Buford T Justice · 09-01-2011 12:31am

Don't they have an adjustable stat?

If not, just fit one inline with the mains to the heater.

Sparkpea · 09-01-2011 10:24am

there is a stat on it but the frost stat on it must be 10 degrees

Sparkpea · 09-01-2011 10:28am

this is the same as the manual that comes with the heater, doesn't give too much info

http://www.dimplex.co.uk/assets/kb/operating_instructions/Frostwatcher_FW600_Instructions_Issue_0.pdf

Buford T Justice · 10-01-2011 9:32pm

Now there's a surprise, a manual thats useless.....;)

tommyfella · 10-11-2011 2:30pm

shawnee wrote: »

Had tank frozen during spell and fitted a socket and infra red bulb (cost around 80 euro) It has a thermostat and will come on when temp drops below freezing. Thawed out my freeze and I would recommend it.;)

Sounds good to me but any way of doing without fitting a socket.
are you a electrician or good with stuff like that cos i wouldn't be able to fit it .
like did you think of it yourself and is it safe.I wouldn't know what to buy to make one up so can you get like a starter kit for people that don't like touching electrics.
cheer fella

LK10 · 21-11-2011 11:15pm

If you are also concerned about your pipes freezing you might want to have a look at this
http://www.nomorefreeze.ie/index.php
or
http://www.heattracingsystems.ie/products.html

ronan45 · 06-12-2011 8:43am

Would Cutting a few holes through the plaster board ceiling in the hot press do the trick? And leave a small gap in the insulation in the attic where the holes come through to. My hot press is warm most of the day and night

Sparkpea · 07-12-2011 7:00am

ronan45 wrote: »

Would Cutting a few holes through the plaster board ceiling in the hot press do the trick? And leave a small gap in the insulation in the attic where the holes come through to. My hot press is warm most of the day and night

It will help a bit but depends how close ur tanks are to the hot press. Plus u may find your hw doesn't stay as warm because heat is escaping.

how to stop attic tank freezing?

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