Cold Water Storage Tank Repairs and Replacement

Helpful guidance

Repair or replacement?

Repair may be the sensible option when:

• The tank body is still sound
• The float valve is leaking or no longer shutting off
• A connection or washer is leaking
• The overflow pipe is restricted
• Insulation or the lid needs improvement

Replacement is more likely to be recommended when:

• The tank is cracked or distorted
• The plastic has become brittle
• An old galvanised tank is badly corroded
• The tank is contaminated and cannot be cleaned safely
• Multiple connections are in poor condition
• The tank is inadequately supported

Replacing the entire tank when only the float valve has failed creates unnecessary cost. Equally, fitting a new valve to a cracked or badly supported tank does not solve the underlying problem.

Common warning signs

• Water running from an external overflow
• Dripping or staining below the loft
• A tank that continues filling
• Reduced water supply to bathrooms
• Visible cracks or distortion
• Heavy condensation or damaged insulation
• Debris or contamination inside the tank
• Noise from the float valve

An external overflow should not be capped or ignored. It is there to show that the water level is too high or the inlet control has failed.

Loft access matters

Before booking, photographs of the following are useful:

• The loft hatch and route to the tank
• The whole tank
• The inlet and float valve
• The outlet connections
• The overflow
• The platform supporting the tank

Safe access affects both the quotation and whether the work can be completed without additional preparation.

What a replacement normally involves

• Isolating and draining the existing tank
• Disconnecting the inlet, outlets and overflow
• Removing the old tank where access allows
• Checking the support platform
• Installing the new tank
• Renewing fittings where required
• Fitting a suitable lid and insulation
• Refilling and testing the system
• Checking the overflow and water level