1. Water Leak Damage and Property Insurance
Old fashioned galvanised steel type water tanks are still installed in many houses in Dublin, but there are a number of reasons why they need to be replaced by a qualified plumber. DNG Plumbing Services has more than 10 years experience in this kind of work and in this blog we list the reasons why we advise our customers to replace these old steel water tanks with modern plastic water tanks. This kind of work is one of the services we offer as professional plumbers in the Dublin area.
The number one concern with old steel water tanks in the attic is leaking. Metal tanks will eventually corrode and leak and most people will be surprised to know that this kind of damage may not be covered by home insurance.
Have you noticed ceiling stains?
Brown ceiling stains are a warning sign which means that your water tank in the attic of your home needs to be inspected by a qualified plumber who has the expertise and experience to know how to solve this problem and avoid any risk of future damage to the property.
Leaks coming through the ceiling from your attic are the last thing any household needs and this can lead to extensive damage throughout the property as in this example, which needed to have an insurance broker working on their claim to ensure that the insurance broker would cover the damage caused by a faulty attic water tank.
Water leaks coming from the attic means there is a problem with pipes and/or the water tank, if you have leaks in the ceiling locate the stopcock and turn off the water supply for the house before calling a plumber to deal with the situation ASAP. Most water storage tanks have a 50 gallon water capacity, and the potential to flood and cause extensive damage to your home.
2. Health & Safety Issues Associated With Attic Water Tanks
Preventative maintenance is always the best practice when it comes to any household health and safety concerns, and this includes plumbing to make old steel tanks in the attic safe. The tragic story of baby Rihanna Hardle who was fatally injured due to a faulty tank in 2008 is an extreme example of why it’s necessary to hire a properly qualified plumber, who has the relevant experience to ensure that your heating system is correctly installed and maintained.
Bubbling noises coming from that attic is definitely a warning sign that the attic cistern is overheating and needs immediate attention, also if you can hear pipes rattling in the attic this is an indication that something is wrong with the plumbing which needs to be fixed by a plumber.
3. Hygiene Concerns About Water Tanks
The attic water tank supplies water to every part of the house except from a direct connection to the mains, for example the cold tap in your kitchen. Cold and hot water used for washing comes directly from the attic tank which is a breeding ground for bacteria, even with the use of tank lids. Dirt in the tank is a severe health hazard and can cause bacteria to grow and multiply in your water supply. Uncovered tanks are open to rodents and insects which can become trapped in the water tank, with the obvious detrimental health consequences.
Over a year period sediments build up at the bottom and sides of the tanks which get disturbed when the level of water in the tanks goes down when running a bath or having a shower. So why not once a year get your tanks cleaned and disinfected and have peace of mind when washing and brushing teeth.
However, we recommend to take great care if the tank is an old galvanised steel type because draining the tank is easy but scraping the bottom of an old tank could cause a leak.
4. What are the benefits of plastic tanks? Why replace an old Steel Tank?
* They are lighter
* They cannot rust so are perfect for Ireland’s damp climate
* They are less likely to leak
* They last longer than galvanised steel tanks
5. How to Dispose of an Old Steel Water Tank?
There is a happy ending to this story, once you have safely replaced the old galvanised steel water tank with a nice new plastic tank the old one can live on as a distinctive planter in your garden, or if you prefer we can take it away with any waste from the job, it’s all part of our service.
We highly recommend that old steel attic water tanks always be replaced with the modern plastic version and we will be happy to give a free quote for your job - If you’d like your tank checked, insulated, secured, cleaned, fitted, or anything else, dogive us a call now on 086 221 9201 or e-mail: gmcglade@gmail.com
DNG Construction is a member of The Irish Construction Industry Federation