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All you Need to Know About Loft Water Tanks when Converting your Loft

When it comes to loft conversions, water tanks can be a bit of a blot on the landscape. In many homes, a loft water tank is a necessary part of the home’s plumbing system when there’s no combi boiler in place to heat the home. However, if you’re ready to convert your loft, an attic water tank can be a space-consuming hurdle within the overall conversion project.

If you wish to convert your roof space, whether it’s simply for storage, or to create a full loft conversion, but a hot water tank in the loft is holding you back, here’s all you need to know about loft water tanks when converting your loft.

Moving a loft water tank

If your attic water tank is situated in a central position within your loft, you will no doubt be worried that it’s an insurmountable hurdle. But actually, it isn’t too much hassle to move it into the corner of the room. By doing so, you will then gain additional useable space within the centre of the room, and the loft tank will be tucked to one side.

Moving your loft water tank into a corner under the eaves, where head height is limited anyway and the space isn’t so easily used, will mean that you are barely taking up any usable space.

Furthermore, moving your attic water tank doesn’t normally take up too much time as part of the overall loft conversion project; it will likely only take a single day of labour for a qualified plumber, so you won’t be left without hot water for too long, either.

You may also think about replacing your existing loft tank with one of a different shape, if this works better within your newly converted loft, and fits more snugly under the eaves or in its newly dedicated space within your loft conversion.

Boxing-in a loft water tank

If you are able to move your loft water tank, or if it is already located within a corner of the room, it then becomes a quick and simple job to box-in the tank.

This can be done with either plain or decorative panelling, and will mean that your tank is hidden and will not interrupt the aesthetics of the new room.

Indeed, once the boxing-in has taken place, you can decorate over and around the boxed-in section with paint and / or wallpaper, and then you won’t even notice the area which is hiding the water tank. Just remember to ask your loft conversion contractors to ensure that you can still access the loft tank should you need to, as this will be important for repairs and maintenance.

Upgrading to an unvented hot water cylinder

Traditional vented heating systems require a cold water tank in the loft, but switching to an unvented hot water cylinder as part of your loft conversion would mean that an attic water tank is no longer necessary.

Not only does this free up space within your newly converted loft, but because unvented systems are fed directly by the cold water mains supply, they often give improved flow rates to multiple outlets within your home.

Upgrading to a combi boiler

For many people, the ultimate way to deal with a hot loft water tank when converting the attic is to upgrade to a pressurised combi boiler. This is a contemporary solution to the problem as it removes the need to have a hot or cold water tank in the loft completely.

By installing such a heating system, it will also mean that your new combi boiler system takes up minimal room wherever it’s installed within your home. Often, combi boilers can be installed within a cupboard downstairs, and this can feed your entire home.

This is the option that most people opt for when converting their loft, and by having a Gas Safe plumber install a combi boiler, your home will be provided with on-demand hot water and central heating. Many people therefore see the upgrade to a combi boiler as a smart move towards future proofing their homes.

Loft water tank advice from Bespoke Lofts

However you decide to deal with your attic water tank, your specialist loft conversion company will be able to advise on the best course of action to make the most of your newly converted loft room.

Here at Bespoke Lofts we have extensive experience and can guide you on the various options for dealing with a water tank, from moving the tank into a less obtrusive part of the room through to having one of our Gas Safe plumbers completely overhaul your home’s heating with the aid of a combi boiler. Please get in touch to see how we can convert your loft and maximise the space, regardless of whether a loft water tank is standing in your way.

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