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Hot water tank platform (Read 16469 times)
Natedog
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Hot water tank platform
Jan 1st, 2021, 8:58pm
 
I'm tidying out our loft.  One job that I want to do, but don't know what to do is sort out our water tank location.  Currently they're sat on a pile of wonky pallets, not even vaguely level.  I'm assuming this was done to add a bit of extra head to the hot water for the shower?  The hot water pressure here isn't brilliant, so I don't want to make it any lower - if anything it wants raising up more.  

How would I go about raising the tanks properly?  There's a smaller header for the heating and a larger (90 gal?) for the hot water

To make it more fun, the loft hatch is only 21" square
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woodsmith
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #1 - Jan 2nd, 2021, 7:57am
 
Usually you can make a supporting frame from 3x2, and t&g softwood flooring for the platform. Make sure you spread the frame at least one ceiling joist beyond the large tank to spread the load across the ceiling. The only caveat is you need to ensure the ceiling joists can take the load, it’s normally not a problem. I’d screw everything together rather than nail it and stay slim!
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thescruff
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #2 - Jan 2nd, 2021, 10:31am
 
As above spread the load by screwing a plate over as many joists as practical, use screws because it's easy to damage the ceiling if you go baning around.

Use wood as other materials will rot if it gets wet.

Important.

The top of the heating tank should be at the same level as the storage tank.
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #3 - Jan 2nd, 2021, 11:42pm
 
   

Ive had a think, and this is what I've come up with.  Hopefully this makes sense...

4x2 secured to the chimney breast.  I'm guessing something like 4" number 10 screws for added overkill.  Then on top of that I've got lengths of 4x2 at 14" centres with a ¾ ply top (I've got a sheet spare, could double this if needed to make 1½ thick)
The front of these is supported by a 4x2 running parallel with the chimney wall.  At either end, a 4x4 leg made from 2 lengths of 4x2 glued together, fixed with a bridle joint, glued and screwed from both sides.

The legs rest on a 4x2 which sits on 3 joists.  There is a supporting wall more or less dead centre under the tanks, and its not going to be very different in weight to what is already there.  

I think I'd also probably add a couple of triangle blocks to the bottom of the legs to hold them vertical.

Does that sound the sort of thing?  Anything I've missed?

Cheers
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« Last Edit: Jan 3rd, 2021, 5:34pm by Lectrician »  
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #4 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 12:27am
 
thescruff wrote on Jan 2nd, 2021, 10:31am:
Important.

The top of the heating tank should be at the same level as the storage tank.


The header tank for the heating is roughly half as tall as the tank that feeds the hot water.  Does this mean it needs to be sat on its own little platform to raise it up?  If so, what is the reason for this? It is currently sat on the same platform as the other tank

Cheers
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woodsmith
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #5 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 9:12am
 
I don’t think you need 4x4 legs, 4x2 is ample. Personally I wouldn’t screw it to the chimney,  I’d build a complete frame, 4 legs with diagonal bracing, and I wouldn’t use ply even if I could get it through my small hatch.
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #6 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 11:22am
 
I had actually forgotten.about needing to get it through the hatch 🤣
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #7 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 3:58pm
 
One last question - I was planning to replace the tanks at the same time.  The lid on the larger tank has cracked and the smaller one has a huge corner cut off it for the overflow pipe, rather than a small neat hole with a seal.  

The tanks that are there are this style, sort of flimsy plastic
https://www.toolstation.com/water-storage-tank/p38349

But I can't find them in larger sizes.  Everyone seems to be stocking this sort  https://www.toolstation.com/25-gallon-polytank-blue-water-storage-tank/p91853

They do look much more rigid, are they now what you're required to fit?
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #8 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 9:03pm
 
Yes the water in the small header tank should be level with the domestic storage tank. the reason being if something does wrong with the cylinder the higher level can flood into the lower tank.

Toolstation do a similar tank 42Gallons which is much better.

Consider making a bigger hatch whilst you are playing, it really is a simple job.
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #9 - Jan 3rd, 2021, 11:28pm
 
Theyve only got the 25 gallon in stock locally or for delivery

thescruff wrote on Jan 3rd, 2021, 9:03pm:
Consider making a bigger hatch whilst you are playing, it really is a simple job.


That takes all the sport out of it 😆
Seriously though, short of moving the hatch to a different room, it is as big as it can be due to the layout.  Walls in the way on 2 sides and timber frame for the roof and the landing light in the way on the other 2.
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #10 - Jan 4th, 2021, 12:18pm
 
you can always connect two together.

Ballvalve in one end tank and the outlet in the end off the other tank so you get a flow through with no static water
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #11 - Jan 5th, 2021, 6:05pm
 
woodsmith wrote on Jan 3rd, 2021, 9:12am:
I don’t think you need 4x4 legs, 4x2 is ample. Personally I wouldn’t screw it to the chimney,  I’d build a complete frame, 4 legs with diagonal bracing, and I wouldn’t use ply even if I could get it through my small hatch.


+1

Take the load down to the joists rather than rely on screws into the chimney.


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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #12 - Jan 6th, 2021, 3:22pm
 
8ve gone with the 25 gallon, and ill see how that does.  The kids have moved out now, so as long as it can keep up with the shower it should be fine.

I've just been furloughed, so hoping to crack on with it and get it all done this week.

I've got some of the large pile of crap moved out the way so I can remove the old insulation and rubble.  I can now see the chimney isn't actually flat at the height the platform is going to be at, so probably not practical to mount it to the chimney anyway.

The one end of the stack of pallets is barely an inch onto the timber supporting it, and there's only 2 slats touching it.  No wonder it has started to lean!
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #13 - Jan 20th, 2021, 4:59pm
 
All done and not leaking  Grin

I'll take a photo to show you what i've done once i've finished tidying up.  I did forget about the heating header needing to be raised up a bit, but that can wait until another day.  i'll need to drain the system again to swap some radiators so i'll raise the header at the same time.  I need to crack on with a few other little jobs before they call me back to work.  

Thanks again for your help, it is very much appreciated  Smiley
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #14 - Jan 21st, 2021, 9:02am
 
Glad you got it sorted and it gave you something worthwhile to do in these strange times Cheesy
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Natedog
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #15 - Jan 25th, 2021, 3:33pm
 
Image 12

Image 13



Yes, I know its hugely over-engineered, but I went with using wood that I had kicking about in the workshop where I could.  But it can quite happily take 18 stone of me jumping up and down on it, so I'm confident its going to support the tanks ok   Grin

I still need to tweak the vent pipe slightly - I ran out of new 22mm and the re-used stuff is a bit crusty inside.  It could also do with being a touch higher as it does dribble ever so slightly when the pump changes speed, but the tank doesn't get warm like it used to from the constant flow out the vent.

Just got to sweep up and cart all my tools back down now

Thanks again for you help  Grin
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Re: Hot water tank platform
Reply #16 - Jan 25th, 2021, 4:25pm
 
Good job, the vent pipe needs lagging as well.

Talking vent pipe if there's a dribble into the tank it almost certainly points to a future problem.

Follow it down where it connects into the heating pipe (by the cylinder) I assume and post a pic, please.
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