Don’t be put off by this, as there are a few options that you can use to create a loft extension despite having a water tank located in your attic.
Many homes have boilers and central water systems that require a water tank to provide hot water for baths, showers and washing. Many of these homes will also find that their hot water tank is located within the loft.This is fine if you’re not planning on converting your loft.
Attics are often lost space, which are only used for storage, and so a water tank doesn’t really impinge on this. But what should those homes do that are planning loft extensions? Essex homes can still convert their loft, even if there’s a water tank to take care of, with the help of a few simple options.
1. Move the Tank
This sounds like an obvious thing to do, and it really is. Moving the tank into one corner of the loft immediately frees up space within the conversion and makes the tank a less obvious hurdle to overcome.
Similarly, you may think about replacing it with a slightly different shaped tank, if this means that it fits into the space better without encroaching on it.
This might sound like a difficult job to do, but it’s actually only about a day’s labour for an experienced plumber. Within the scheme of a loft conversion, this isn’t a long time, and it also means that you’ll only be without hot water for a day.
2. Replace with a Combi Boiler
A combi boiler eliminates the need for a water tank altogether, using a pressurised hot water system throughout your home and giving you immediate hot water on tap.
Having a Gas Safe plumber fit a combi boiler as part of a loft conversion renovation would free up the tank space in your loft. They are efficient and compact, so if you’re thinking of upgrading your central heating system as part of a loft conversion, this could be a good option.
3. Replace with an Unvented Hot Water Cylinder
This is the opposite to a vented system – the one which requires the water tank in the loft – and unvented hot water cylinders have begun to grow in popularity. A tank isn’t necessary, as they are fed directly from the cold water mains, which frees up the loft space.
Unvented systems have greatly improved flow rates to the various water outlets within a home, and can be located almost anywhere within a property, which makes them very convenient when converting a loft.
Don’t think that a loft conversion is a pipe dream if you have a water tank. A professional loft conversion company will be able to work around this without too much disturbance to you. If you’d like a quote for a loft extension, contact Bespoke Lofts for a free, no obligation estimate.