Attic Tank to be cleaned...

J

johnnyapple

Registered User
Messages
25
Hi,
Listen I need to know the fastest way to clean an attic tank. It's plastic, has been there for about 10 years, and only in the last couple of weeks did we get a lid put on it.
There is a lot of dirt and grime in it therefore. I tried to drain it, but the water level won't go below the outlet pipes, and since it is elevated somewhat for gravity purposes, it makes it hard to reach in anyway. I was told by a mate that a wet-vac or something would scoop up all that water, enabling me to clean it, but I've rang around and nobody knows what that is. I also would then need to disinfect it, and supposedly Milton would be good for that.
Has anyone undertaken this unpleasant task? Any advice?
 
I think I might have to do this myself, so will be interested to hear. anyways, Brooks hire out these type vacuum cleaners - you can check it here:
[broken link removed]

Let me know how you get on!
 
Surely its a case of just switching off water, and bucketing it out carefully. You just need someone to work with you to take the bucket from you at the loft opening. Then clean all the gunk out of it once its empty and use something to sterilise it.
Replacing it sounds a bit radical to me.
 
I've done this using a large sponge to soak up the small bit of water at the bottom of the tank. Then use bleach or Milton (probably best) and a clean j cloth and sponge to scrub the inside of the tank, be carefukl not to scratch the inside of the tank and don't use any abrasive scourers as scratches can promote bacteria growth in the future. Fill and drain your system a couple of times. The lid should be close fitting but not airtight. It's also a good time to check that the overflow is not blocked (hold down float and allow it to overflow slightly).
 
Just a thought. Could you use a hose pipe to syphon the leftover water down to your toilet or bath? You would need somebody at both ends of course!
 
Don't see why not. You can get cheap drill powered pumps now in many DIY stores for about a tenner which might be useful in this situation..
Leo
 
While a pump would be useful, would not the gravity work in favor of the syphon. A smart move would be to hook the hose up to a tap in the sink (work around the water turned-off situation) to fill the hose and it should only require a little suck then - rather than sucking the hose to fill it from the tank.
 
Excuse me people, but this can be done so easily- bail out bulk of water with a cup, remove remainder with sponge- total cost= about €1 (car wash sponge)!
 
TBH Leo I'm a desperate man for gadgets myself! My wife has even accompanied me on ocassion as i browse the budget bins in McQuillans, whilst I look for that elusive plumbing tool or depth gauge that I simply must have!

Carpenter
 
Hmmm... so is there a consensus here? Doesn't look like it I suppose I'll go with the cup and sponge idea... a car wash sponge eh? How much Milton should I put in?

How much Milton should I put in, and should I put it on the sides of the tank too? Other problems in this for me would be that the tank is raised about four feet, its surrounded by roof supports, and the flooring is dodgy to non-existent.
 
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