Can I move the water cylinder to the attic?

Question

I own a top floor apartment with an attic. All electric with a large cold-over-hot water cylinder and pump in the hotpress. I need to move the water cylinder and pump, in order to convert the hotpress into a soundproof booth. 

We'd like a new cylinder too, since the one we have only provides enough hot water for 1/3 of a bathful. It is probably very unwise to mount a cylinder on the joists, as they are not thick enough. There are blockwork walls at both ends of the attic. 

Could a horizontal cylinder be mounted on a blockwork wall safely, if the right fixings and brackets are drilled far enough in?

Michael · Accepted Answer

Hi, Yes you can move the cylinder and the pump into the attic. You would have to use 18mm or 22mm ply to strengthen so you can rest the cylinder and pump. Obviously, you would have to adjust all the pipe work for it.

Majid · Answer

I'm assuming you mean the ends of the walls in the eaves or the gable ends that run up to the roof. There is not enough height in the eaves and brackets or bolts won't help transfer enough dynamic weight of the gables to be of any use. 
Heavy loads are best transferred by placing onto the supporting structure, not screwed onto it. Best to install a pair of beams across from 1 wall to another (very long 7 x 2 joist perhaps either placed through the gable brickwork or onto the walls plates in the eaves) and tie them together 400mm apart with 25mm flooring board screwed on top to create a solid platform running across the loft space. 
Some houses have a supporting wall in the middle where you can place one end of the beam. You can tell if the existing joists join end or start on on it. If not then it may need steels if the span is too long.
You can then comfortably install the new cylinder onto this structure which will safely transfer the weight directly onto the walls. 
Use an architect, it's important.
Most importantly if you cant support the tank properly don't do it.

Simon · Answer

You could get an unvented cylinder that runs off the cold mains supply. You can use a horizontal cylinder, however, will be floor mounted so if with a horizontal or vertical cylinder would need marine ply across at least 4 joists to support the weight. 
Hope this helps.

Andrew · Answer

I would remove it, I have just fitted a great electric combi boiler to my loft and I was told that it was expensive to heat the house, we have found we don't use it as much and it is a third cheaper than our previous gas system and we did away with boiler and tank and all the pumps and also was rewarded with £200 quid for the old tank and pipework from a salvage yard.

Tom · Answer

It’s possible, but with the weight of a tank once full, personally I wouldn’t rely on wall fixings alone. On a reinforced base to span the weight above the joist and also the wall fixings would be the ideal solution if possible. Then you are covered. 

Also as suggested in a previous answer. Perhaps consider a pressurised system if the properties mains water, flow rate, pressure and pipe sizing meets the criteria. 

Hope this helps. 

Thanks

Martin · Answer

shouldn't be a problem provide you have enough space for fitting and maintenance

Gary · Answer

Can’t see why not, providing the roof trusses are strong enough, they might need strengthening.
Also might be worth considering a pressurised tank as you will lose the gravity advantage
I’m not a fully qualified plumber best to ask them about water tanks and pressurised cylinders, think they are a good idea, most of mainland Europe use them.

Can I move the water cylinder to the attic?

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