Removing water tank

[lotus_esprit_s1]

My 1980’s industrial unit has one toilet and one sink with cold water feed, and a small water heater on the wall. For some reason on the small mezzanine is a huge cold water storage tank feeding this single toilet and tap - is there any reason why I can’t get rid of the water tank? There is ample water pressure to the unit and the space the tank takes up would be handy for storage.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

If you rent, you may have to consult the landlord.
One place I worked, we used it as a store, had a similar set up. Like you we wanted to remove the large water tank and fit a smaller one.

The landlord refused as the units were designed to be
"Of Multi Use. In the future the system may be rquired."
True, one unit use da lot of water in a cleaning process.

If you own the space I can't see why not.

 

[prepman]

My 1980’s industrial unit has one toilet and one sink with cold water feed, and a small water heater on the wall. For some reason on the small mezzanine is a huge cold water storage tank feeding this single toilet and tap - is there any reason why I can’t get rid of the water tank? There is ample water pressure to the unit and the space the tank takes up would be handy for storage.

Might be to comply with bye-laws. A protection against reverse flow into mains. I think the old Niagara flushes a few gallons a pull? Might be the reason for such a large tank, or maybe there were more units it supplied?

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Thanks. Luckily I own the unit.

There is an second unit next to it which is the mirror image of mine - including the same huge water tank. I think they are just really well built including the plumbing - lower half of unit is blockwork faced with granite, upper half steel cladding with 6” insulation between inner and outer cladding.

I will consult with a local plumber before attacking it!!

 

[Kayos]

Its usually done if the mains pressure is low or unreliable

If you are going to connect direct to the mains just fit a double check valve after the stop tap, that will comply with any bylaws

 

[dobbslc]

Is the tank metal, plastic or asbestos?

 

[hunter27]

I guess the water heater is already on mains pressure. You may need to replace the ball valve in the toilet if it's a low pressure one and when converting to mains often the old taps drip due to the higher pressure.

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Just had a look at the system this morning; the tank is a 40 gallon plastic tank and the only thing it feeds is the toilet cistern! The cold water tap and water heater are on the mains.

The feed to the water tank runs vertically up one corner of the room and through into the mezzanine, and the feed from the tank to the cistern runs vertically back down the opposite corner. Is as easy as cutting both pipes just below the ceiling and using compression fittings and a length of the correct size copper pipe, joining pipes together, with an inline stopgap at a convenient point?

 

[JimmyS]

Stick a double check valve in the rising main after the stopcock and pipe to the bog in 15mm. Not sure what an inline stopgap is. You might need to change the float valve in the bog cistern to a high pressure one if its fairly old.

You should also have a service valve (something like a ballofix valve is fine) before the WC cistern to comply with water byelaws, probably one fitted already.

That should be about it.

 

[Tigman]

I think he meant Stoptap !

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Yes, stoptap! iPad autocorrects it to stopgap.

Double check valve ordered, along with inline stop tap. Is it better to use 90deg solder elbows or are brass compression fittings ok? The existing pipes are painted, so will have to remove the paint when joint to them anyway.

 

[JimmyS]

if there's water in the pipes compression is less hassle

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

Water tank and associated pipe work removed and mezzanine now racked out for storage. Fitted double check valve and stoptap to the WC as old one was was on the tank, and rerouted the plumbing to the WC. I bought compression fittings but decided to solder the bends as thought it looked neater- All fitted and no leaks, quite pleased as never done any plumbing work before. Just waiting on replacement high pressure toilet valve as original can’t cope!! Also didnt quite buy enough pipe so had to reuse some!

Thanks for advice