Old water tank All aspects of plumbing questions and answers, help, tips and information

[JLC280667]

Hi

Just moved into a new property and discovered an old water tank has been left in the loft. It's one of the old style metal ones and incredibly heavy. What are the options for getting rid of it? I imagine it's really difficult to get down in one piece - can these old metal tanks be broken up and if so how?

Is the metal likely to be worth anything for scrap? Just wondering if we might get someone to do the job in return for the metal...

Welcome any advice!

Cheers
John

[plumbbob]

The scrap value is probably less than the amount of work required to get it down out of the loft. If it is larger than the loft hatch hole it is probably better to leave it where it is.

[bobtb007]

Hi JLC

SCrap value for cast iron/galvanized steel is about £160/200 per tonne which is 20p per kilo

So even if tank is 50kg you will only get £10 weighing it in, better than nothing if you can get it down from loft in one go

To cut it up??? Use a hack saw and you will be there for a month of sundays, use an angle grinder (remember ear defenders, heavy duty gloves and eye protection and watch the fire risk from the sparks etc, watch for any electrical cables or pipes nearby) and it could take you half an hour.

If an angle grinder is chosen use a metal cutting disc

The choice as they say is yours

Russ

[plumbbob]

I wouldn't recommend using an angle grinder in a loft space particularly on a public forum.

The dust and debris in a loft means there is a considerable risk of fire. Any sparks may lie smoldering unseen in loft insulation hours after activity has ceased. Unless the tank can be removed in one piece, far better to leave it where it is!

[JLC280667]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Sounds like it might just be easiest to leave it where it is.

But - and sorry if this is a daft question - are the joists in the loft sufficient to bear the weight? It's obviously been moved from its original position and is just resting across several joists. Should it have a sheet of wood under it to spread the weight or anything like that?

(If this helps, it's a 30's style semi with no alterations to the loft)

John

[plumbbob]

The joists are more than adequate to take the weight of an empty tank even if it is metal. Just make sure it is not directly resting on any part of the plasterboard.

[bobtb007]

I wouldn't recommend using an angle grinder in a loft space particularly on a public forum.

The dust and debris in a loft means there is a considerable risk of fire. Any sparks may lie smoldering unseen in loft insulation hours after activity has ceased. Unless the tank can be removed in one piece, far better to leave it where it is!

But a loft space isnt in a public forum.....!

Just kidding, Bob you are right but I put in the caution of a fire risk and then gave a possible answer.

PPl should still take personal responsibility for their own actions or if they cant then they should get a professional in who has liability cover

The choice as they say is yours

Russ

[plumbbob]

But a loft space isnt in a public forum.....!

Yes. Very funny. :-)

[rockwill]

Hi,
i found a upgrade tank for the one i already have but it used to be a salt water tank and i am putting my fresh water fish in it. i have the old already cycled water to place in it and all my fish and stuff but the new tank needes cleaned i already safely scrapped all the old salt stuff off the sides now what? I dont want my fish to die because i am upgrading their tank to a new one so i want to clean it properly...?

[JLC280667]

?

[plumbbob]

?