Cleaning water tank in attic

mattcullen

Read a few threads on this and I think I know what needs to be done except for one thing. I read on one thread to make sure to plug the outlet for the shower so as not to clog it with silt. Does anyone know how to identify the shower outlet?

punisher5112

You will most likely still get some down it.

Is it electric?

If so switch off mains, remove cover and you will see a filter and a turn screw where you can remove it and the water will flow out. There is a bleed screw here also.

clintondaly

mattcullen wrote: »

Read a few threads on this and I think I know what needs to be done except for one thing. I read on one thread to make sure to plug the outlet for the shower so as not to clog it with silt. Does anyone know how to identify the shower outlet?

You could trace the shower feed back to the tank from where it would enter the attic

listermint

You will definitely get dirt down the pipe so dont bother, as stated above if its electric, just open it up and clean out the filter.

Have done this many a time its easy.

mattcullen

Thanks all, It's electric so will do as advised.So I can removed the filter prior to draining and cleaning the tank, leave it open during the whole process and replace when finito?

punisher5112

mattcullen wrote: »

Thanks all, It's electric so will do as advised.So I can removed the filter prior to draining and cleaning the tank, leave it open during the whole process and replace when finito?

No need as when you open it after it will flow and clear out.

Calahonda52

It depends on what you have the patience for but this is how I do it: get a length of 1/2 copper pipe the depth of the tank, connect it to a length of garden hose down to the bath or toilet, out to the garden.
get a siphon started and basically vacuum the bottom of the tank with the pipe, tie top the ball cock to stop any water flowing in.
No dirt leaves the tank outlets

cupan_tae

Get a wet vac ? Plenty places hiring these now - am thinking to do myself at some stage but a lot on at the moment it's well down the list

Calahonda52

cupan_tae wrote: »

Get a wet vac ? Plenty places hiring these now - am thinking to do myself at some stage but a lot on at the moment it's well down the list

wet vac gets very heavy up in the attic and then how do you empty it?

mattcullen

Calahonda52 wrote: »

It depends on what you have the patience for but this is how I do it: get a length of 1/2 copper pipe the depth of the tank, connect it to a length of garden hose down to the bath or toilet, out to the garden.
get a siphon started and basically vacuum the bottom of the tank with the pipe, tie top the ball cock to stop any water flowing in.
No dirt leaves the tank outlets

Now there's an idea. Do you need the copper pipe? Could you not just use the hose on its own?

Calahonda52

mattcullen wrote: »

Now there's an idea. Do you need the copper pipe? Could you not just use the hose on its own?

think of the pipe as the rigid piece on a vacuum cleaner, much easier to focus from top of the water: qualplex would do either, as long as it is straight and not cut from a coil

New Home

mattcullen wrote: »

Now there's an idea. Do you need the copper pipe? Could you not just use the hose on its own?

The hose would float, you'd need something to secure it in place if you wanted it to stay close to the bottom of the tank. The copper pipe wouldn't have that problem.

cupan_tae

Calahonda52 wrote: »

wet vac gets very heavy up in the attic and then how do you empty it?

The one I was looking at hiring has a 3.5 M extension. Your method would save hiring or buying anything - looks like a handy tip think I'll give it a shot as have copper pipe and garden hose in stock myself



Do you secure the hose to the pipe ?

Prenderb

Interesting plan. How often would you need to do this, I'm wondering about my own!

Also - presuming you'll wait till after the drought conditions have passed

New Home

Prenderb wrote: »

Interesting plan. How often would you need to do this, I'm wondering about my own!

Also - presuming you'll wait till after the drought conditions have passed

...unless a carcass of some sort was found in the tank... :)

Calahonda52

cupan_tae wrote: »

Do you secure the hose to the pipe ?

yes
generally you will have to heat the hose in some hot water to make it pliable enough to take the 1/2 copper: a bit of fairy liquid on the copper will make pushing it in easier