We were without water for the last few days and now its back on in the kitchen sink but there is no water going into the tanks in the attic. What can I do?
I have had the same problem and it seems to depend on the pressure of the mains water comming into the house. If they reduce the pressure in the area (There have been notifications on DCC website) then you will usually get low pressure water to the kitchen sink but the pressure will not be enough to get it to the attic to fill the tank. When the pressure increases it will build up and eventually get to the attic.
I do not think it is because of pressure. Water requires approx 0.5 psi per foot to lift it, ex. if the header tank is 30 ft high in the attic it will take 15psi to lift it, not a lot of pressure. More likely it is frozen.
Just giving mine and others experience in the area, When the pressure in the mains tap in the kitchen is low the water is not reaching the attic. Only when the pressure is increased does it the get to the attic. It's not all down to frozen pipes, the City Councils are reducing pressure and in some cases cutting supply completely.
it's the same for everyone on my street, we have minimal pressure this week and so the water is not getting up into the attic so it's a case of filled buckets up a ladder to refill the tanks when we can.
Btw, does anyone know if gas fired central heating is ok to leave on when the attic tanks are low or are you in danger of burning the system out? Is the heating independent of water supply?? A friend just had his boiler go up in smoke in an apartment building yesterday as the main water pumps in the building have failed. They are looking at a huge bill to replace the boiler now...
We are in South Dublin and only get full flow after 5am. Generally cut off in the afternoon. No prior notice. If you have an old fashioned boiler like I do, can it damage it to have the boiler turned on when the water gets turned off and there are hot water taps elsewhere in the house already being used?
You heating and plumbing are two seperate systems.If you have an oil or gas boiler, You can use heating while water is off. Just ensure that small tank in attic has water in it. If it doesn't you have a leak. even then, not a whole lot of damage can be done, worse case is you burn out pump.