Attic water tank has no lid - how to clean it before putting one on?

guitarless · 06-01-2023 01:52PM #1

I was messing around with the fiberglass attic insulation in my attic which kicked up a load of dust that settled in the water tank. I want to buy a lid and fit it but I want to give it a clean first so I'm not brushing my teeth with fiberglass dust.

Is it enough to raise the ballcock so the tank stops refilling, drain the tank by using water in the taps/toilet, and then give the tank a scrub when it's empty? Is that generally how you go about cleaning these tanks or should I really siphon the water out?

Lumen · 06-01-2023 03:15PM

Yes, that's it.

SteM · 06-01-2023 03:23PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058278454/attic-water-tank-has-no-lid-how-to-clean-it-before-putting-one-on

Does the water you use to brush your teeth with - the bathroom tap - not come directly from the mains?

Kurooi · 06-01-2023 03:27PM

Roughly yes, the outflow pipe of the water will generally be a bit above the bottom of the tank, so once you drained everything you can take a big car sponge and a bucket use the sponge to transfer the rest of the water out.

When the water is really muck I prefer to do that allows me scrub the bottom of the tank properly.

ted1 · 06-01-2023 04:53PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120074123#Comment_120074123

in Ireland generally not.

10-10-20 · 06-01-2023 04:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058278454/attic-water-tank-has-no-lid-how-to-clean-it-before-putting-one-on

Don't do that if you have aerators on your taps, they'll block up pretty rapidly. They normally screw-off so do that first.

Also avoid using the cisterns as they often also have filters which clog.

DublinDilbert · 07-01-2023 09:46AM

Most tanks have small bits of debris in the bottom. Once there's nothing major in there like dead animals etc, clean everything off the top of the water that you can. Then throw in some milton fluid over night and let it sit.

For a lid pick up some foil backed insulation board and cut one to size, makes a great lid plus it is insulated. Often you will see off cuts of this being put into skips by builders.

Attic water tank has no lid - how to clean it before putting one on?

Comments