
Why do British houses have cold water tanks? The purpose of the tank is to prevent the possibility of water from the house (possibly contaminated) flowing back into the main. How do you vent a water tank?
Why do British houses have separate cold water storage tanks?
Why do British houses have separate cold water storage tanks? On the continent there are no separate tanks, the water coming straight off the mains and avoiding the problem of burst tanks and flooding. THE COLD water storage tank provides room for expansion of the hot water in the cylinder below it.
Is there a'cold'water tank in the loft?
As well as having a hot water tank in the airing cupboard, there is a 'cold' water tank in the loft. Why is this? Why aren't the cold water taps just hooked into the main pipes?
What is the purpose of a cold water tank?
THE COLD water storage tank provides room for expansion of the hot water in the cylinder below it. More modern cylinders have an air cushion at the top which compresses to make room for the hot water as it expands. Presumably continental plumbers have been quicker to adopt this new system. Seb Wills, Cambridge ([email protected])
Why are there no separate water storage tanks on the continent?
On the continent there are no separate tanks, the water coming straight off the mains and avoiding the problem of burst tanks and flooding. | Notes and Queries | guardian.co.uk Any answers? Why do British houses have separate cold water storage tanks?

What is the point of a cold water tank?
A cold water storage tank is used for the storage of large amounts of water from which the building is supplied with water. The tank is then replenished by the mains water supply at a steadier rate.
Can I get rid of cold water tank?
You can now remove the old cold water storage tank to make room for the new one. If the tank is in your loft space and won't fit through the hatch, just move it to one side. You may need to have a professional contractor dismantle the tank for you at a later date.
Why do you have a water tank in the loft?
Why are there two water tanks in your loft? If you are not sure why there are two water tanks in your loft, it is probably because the property has (or used to have) a vented central heating system. Water from the mains is fed into the larger of the tanks which is the cold water storage tank.
Do I need a cold water tank with a combi boiler?
Definition of a Combi Boiler A Combi Boiler or Combination Boiler doesn't require hot water cylinder or cold water cistern because it instantly warm up the water passing through the supply line, allowing you to enjoy without even waiting for a large cylinder to heat up, making it perfect for small house owners.
How often should cold water storage tanks be cleaned?
Internal inspection for signs of debris and possible contamination should be undertaken every 6 months for potable water and annually for non-potable water. The temperature of the tank should be recorded at least once a year (from both the inlet and outlet).
How long does a cold water tank last?
between 10 and 15 yearsHow to Replace a Water Tank. As a rule, the average life expectancy of a of cold-water storage tank will be somewhere between 10 and 15 years. This can differ significantly depending on the size and design of the tank, as well as the system associated with the tank and its location.
Do I need water tank in attic?
In many homes, a loft water tank is a necessary part of the home's plumbing system when there's no combi boiler in place to heat the home. However, if you're ready to convert your loft, an attic water tank can be a space-consuming hurdle within the overall conversion project.
Why does the UK not have water towers?
The towers were costly to construct, consequently the design capacity rarely exceeded the equivalent of one day's supply of water for local houses – usually between 20,000 and 50,000 gallons.
Should I cover my water tank?
Floating covers can help prevent evaporation of your liquid, which is especially important if there are chemicals in the liquid that could evaporate into the air. Even if your tank includes clean water, evaporation is a big deal.
Which is cheaper to run combi or conventional boiler?
The most common reason that users switch from conventional to combi boilers is energy efficiency. According to Energy Saving Trust, you can save up to 40 percent on your energy bill if you replace your 10 to 15 years old boiler with an A-rated combi boiler.
Why do I have a combi boiler and a water tank?
A combination or 'combi' boiler is both a high efficiency water heater and a central heating boiler in a single compact unit. Combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap, so you won't need a hot water storage cylinder or a cold water storage tank in the roof space.
Is a combi boiler cheaper to run than a system boiler?
If we compare a system boiler vs combi boiler running costs, then it is likely that a combi boiler will be more efficient and so offer some savings. There is also another option, the conventional boiler which is becoming less common but still has it's place in large homes with low water pressure.
Can you remove a water tank?
If you have a crew of strong assistants to help you, and you know what you're doing, you can remove a water tank yourself. However, it's not recommended. Water tanks tend to be heavy and awkward to remove, and scrapping them appropriately can be tricky due to their size.
How do I empty the water tank in my loft?
If you want to drain the hot water cylinder, you'll need to shut off the supply from the cold water tank and drain the cylinder via its draincock. If you have an indirect plumbing system, i.e., the cold water tank supplies the cold bathroom taps, you should open these taps until the tank is empty.
How do you drain a cold water system?
InstructionsShut Off the Water Valve. Shut off the main water valve at the water meter.Open the Sink Faucets. Starting at the top floor, open all the sink faucets. ... Open the Faucet in the Laundry Tub. ... Open the Tub or Shower Faucets. ... Flush All Toilets. ... Leave the Faucets in the Open Position.
How do you drain a water storage tank?
0:211:50How to Drain and Flush a Water Tank - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's just the matter of hooking up a hose. And let the hole run into a bucket or outside the houseMoreIt's just the matter of hooking up a hose. And let the hole run into a bucket or outside the house if you want to use a lot of our turn off the water through the house. And. Open.
What is a cold water tank?
THE COLD water storage tank provides room for expansion of the hot water in the cylinder below it. More modern cylinders have an air cushion at the top which compresses to make room for the hot water as it expands. Presumably continental plumbers have been quicker to adopt this new system.
Is there a separate water tank on the continent?
On the continent there are no separate tanks, the water coming straight off the mains and avoiding the problem of burst tanks and flooding. THE COLD water storage tank provides room for expansion of the hot water in the cylinder below it.
Why did Britain have cisterns?
The reason for the storage cisterns was rather more practical: The water bylaws for London and many other cities mandated them to ease demand on the supply at peak times.
Why is there a cold tap in my kitchen sink?
The cold tap for kitchen sinks was made an exception from having to be fed through the tank, to provide non-stored water for cooking and drinking.
What happens when a water supply system is working at full demand?
When the supply system is working at full demand, the pressure drops and the rate of flow to each house decreases. The storage cisterns act as a kind of buffer, since they will simply refill a little more slowly than at other times. In other words, you can draw water out of the tank faster than it's being replenished (for a limited amount of time, obviously), thus everybody can get their water but the supply system doesn't have to be made that much larger to cope with the peak demand directly.
Can you draw water out of a tank faster than it's being replenished?
In other words, you can draw water out of the tank faster than it's being replenished (for a limited amount of time, obviously), thus everybody can get their water but the supply system doesn't have to be made that much larger to cope with the peak demand directly.
Do cisterns have a cover?
It's amazing how many cisterns don't even have a most basic cover over them. They soon accumulate all manner of dirt, bugs, and general muck. Dead mice and even dead birds aren't that unusual either where they've had access to the attic.
