Attic Water Tank Replacement & Installation

Attic Water Tank Services in Athlone and the Midlands

The cold water storage tank in your attic is a critical but often overlooked component of your home’s plumbing system. It supplies cold water to your bathroom taps, toilet cisterns, and hot water cylinder, and its condition directly affects the quality, pressure, and reliability of your water supply. If your attic tank is old, corroded, leaking, or contaminated, replacing it is one of the most worthwhile plumbing investments you can make.

We remove and replace attic water tanks across Athlone, Westmeath, and the wider Midlands. Our service includes safe removal and disposal of the old tank, installation of a new GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) tank, connection of all supply and distribution pipework, and proper insulation to protect against frost.

When to Replace Your Attic Water Tank

Signs of a Failing Tank

Many homeowners are unaware that their attic water tank is deteriorating until a problem becomes obvious. Watch for these warning signs:

• Rust-coloured water from cold taps - this indicates corrosion inside a galvanised steel tank, with rust particles entering your water supply.
• Visible corrosion on the outside of the tank - if the exterior is rusted, the interior will be worse.
• Damp patches on ceilings below the attic - this suggests a slow leak from the tank or its connections.
• Debris in the water - older tanks without proper covers can accumulate dust, insect remains, and other contamination.
• Inconsistent water flow - a corroded tank can develop internal scale that restricts the outlet, reducing flow to downstream fixtures.

Old Galvanised Steel Tanks

Many homes built before the 1990s still have their original galvanised steel cold water storage tank in the attic. These tanks have a typical lifespan of 20 to 30 years, after which the zinc coating breaks down and the steel underneath corrodes. Once corrosion begins, it accelerates quickly, and the tank will eventually develop leaks. Replacing an old galvanised steel tank with a modern GRP tank is the recommended solution.

GRP Tank Installation

Why GRP?

GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) is the standard material for modern cold water storage tanks. It is lightweight, corrosion-proof, does not affect water taste or quality, and has a lifespan of 25 years or more. GRP tanks are available in a range of sizes to match your household’s water demand, with 25-gallon (114-litre) and 50-gallon (227-litre) being the most common sizes for domestic use.

Tank Sizing

The correct tank size depends on the number of bathrooms and occupants in your home. A 25-gallon tank is typically adequate for a two-bedroom property with one bathroom, while a larger home with multiple bathrooms may require a 50-gallon tank or even a combination of tanks. We assess your household’s water usage and recommend the appropriate size.

Access Considerations

One of the biggest challenges with attic tank replacement is physical access. The new tank must fit through the attic hatch - or, in some cases, be assembled in the attic if the hatch is too small. We survey the access route before ordering the tank to ensure a smooth installation. Where access is extremely restricted, we use sectional GRP tanks that can be carried up in pieces and assembled in situ.

Pipework and Valve Upgrades

Ball Valve Replacement

The ball valve controls the water level in the tank by shutting off the supply when the tank is full. Old brass ball valves can seize, corrode, or fail to close fully, causing the tank to overfill and discharge water through the overflow pipe. We replace old ball valves with modern Part 2 or Part 1 ball valves as appropriate for the supply type, ensuring reliable shut-off and quiet operation.

Overflow Pipe

The overflow pipe is a safety feature that routes excess water to the outside of the building if the ball valve fails. We ensure the overflow pipe is the correct diameter (typically 22mm for domestic tanks), has a continuous fall to the outside, and terminates in a visible location so that any overflow is immediately noticed. A properly functioning overflow pipe is a critical safeguard and a requirement under Irish water bylaws.

Supply and Distribution Pipework

When replacing a tank, we also inspect and upgrade the supply and distribution pipework as needed. This includes the mains supply pipe feeding the ball valve, the cold distribution pipes running to bathrooms and the hot water cylinder, and the vent pipe from the hot water system. Where old lead or iron pipework is found, we recommend replacement with modern copper or plastic alternatives for safety and reliability.

Insulation and Frost Protection

Tank Insulation

An uninsulated attic water tank is vulnerable to freezing in winter, which can crack the tank or burst the connected pipework. We fit a purpose-made insulation jacket around every tank we install, covering the top and all four sides. The base of the tank is left uninsulated to allow warmth from the room below to rise and help prevent freezing.

Pipe Insulation

All pipework in the attic - including the supply pipe, distribution pipes, and overflow pipe - should be insulated with foam pipe lagging. We insulate all exposed pipework as part of every tank installation, paying particular attention to sections that run along the eaves where temperatures drop lowest.

Bylaws Compliance

Irish water bylaws require that cold water storage tanks are fitted with a close-fitting, dust-proof lid, a screened overflow, and an insect-proof vent. We ensure every installation meets these requirements, protecting your stored water from contamination and your home from potential damage.

Tank Removal and Disposal

We handle the complete removal and responsible disposal of your old tank. Galvanised steel tanks are taken to a licensed metal recycling facility. We drain the tank, disconnect all pipework, and carefully remove it through the attic hatch - cutting it into manageable sections if necessary. The attic space is left clean and ready for the new installation.

Book an Attic Tank Replacement

If your attic water tank is old, corroded, or you suspect a leak, call us on 090-6641014 for a free, no-obligation assessment. We serve Athlone and the entire Midlands with professional cold water storage tank replacement and installation services. A new GRP tank will give you clean, reliable water and complete peace of mind for decades to come.