How Much Does It Cost To Replace a Cold Water Storage Tank?



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Cost to Change a Cold Water Storage Tank



Job
Description
Labour
1Empty the old tank, put it to one side, fit a new one in the same place on the same base. 1 man 1 day inc. materials
£250
2To reposition the new tank on a raised platform somewhere else in the loft. 1 man 1.5 days inc. materials
£350

“Labour” at £175 a day (tradesman) £100 (labourer), includes incidental fixings etc. and tipping charges. “Materials” if mentioned, are larger things (a boiler) and stuff only you can choose (tiles etc).  Also VAT must be added all round.

Information Sheet on Fitting a Cold Water Storage Tank


The main thing to remember is that this tank has 2 purposes, it supplies cold water at low pressure to….
The toilet flush and the bath and hand basin tap. (Although lately, hand basin cold supplies are increasingly being converted to mains pressure).

It supplies cold water to top up your hot water cylinder.

In another life about 25 years ago, I moved into a rather nice Victorian Villa. This had the original galvanised water tank in the loft. I was put to work by the other life’s wife doing odd jobs like putting in a new kitchen, knocking through between rooms, fitting grand fireplaces etc, while the other life’s wife thought of some big jobs she could give me. Consequently, I paid scant attention to the water supply.

One day the other life’s wife thought she could taste something funny when she was brushing her teeth. I was probably under the floorboards at the time, keeping out of the way. About a week of teeth brushing and attendant moaning later I had to admit she might have a point.

Approaching the tank I noticed it had no lid. Peering into the rather unsavoury brew that was masquerading as our water supply, first I noticed a few sodden decaying feathers, then at the bottom of the tank, the rest of the pigeon!

I spent 6 hours changing the tank and every bit of water in the house, three times over. But every now and then when I’m having my first sip of a cuppa and there is a sour taste, my mind turns to pigeons rather than ‘off’ milk.

Enough of that nonsense. There are a couple of points and legalities that the Victorians deemed unworthy of consideration.

Firstly, make sure the new tank goes through your loft hatch.

Try and get one which holds at least 35 gallons.

Make sure it complies with byelaw 30. (No light or insects should get in – ie it has got a lid).
And don’t forget to get it properly insulated.

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