Hi again
I am reassessing whether to try installing a CWST in the loft rather than leaving it on the top floor. See previous post here if it's of any use.
I've had plumbers in who have suggested a £2k approx bill to reinforce joists, re-site a new CWST to the loft, commission shower etc etc, so I had discounted it as an option and was going to keep my tanks on the top floor and do-it-myself. However there are some cans of worms that might be best left unopened by going that route, so I'm rethinking the CWST relocation.
What I've noted about my loft:
My joist dimensions are 35mm x 120mm and spacing is 600m except for at the end where the final two joists are 400mm apart.
I could site the CWST in the loft partially above a concrete block partition on the top floor to provide additional support.
So looking at what I have in the attic, I'm not sure if reinforcement is really required. My thoughts:
a) if I'm pumping the supply to the shower (i.e. need a large flow from the tank) @ 9 litres p/m, a 50 gal tank i.e. 227L should be sufficient. I might even drop to 40 gal.
b) 227L weighs 227kg + there is some small additional weight of the plastic tank.
c) A coffin tank would spread the load and could be laid perpendicular to the joists (I was thinking on 18mm plywood) and partially over the concrete partition on the floor below for further support. I was thinking about this one for example, which could span 3 joists
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above? What are the conventional methods for figuring out whether additional support is required and how to go about providing it? As long as 200 litres won't crash through the ceiling, I'm happy.
I am reassessing whether to try installing a CWST in the loft rather than leaving it on the top floor. See previous post here if it's of any use.
I've had plumbers in who have suggested a £2k approx bill to reinforce joists, re-site a new CWST to the loft, commission shower etc etc, so I had discounted it as an option and was going to keep my tanks on the top floor and do-it-myself. However there are some cans of worms that might be best left unopened by going that route, so I'm rethinking the CWST relocation.
What I've noted about my loft:
My joist dimensions are 35mm x 120mm and spacing is 600m except for at the end where the final two joists are 400mm apart.
I could site the CWST in the loft partially above a concrete block partition on the top floor to provide additional support.
So looking at what I have in the attic, I'm not sure if reinforcement is really required. My thoughts:
a) if I'm pumping the supply to the shower (i.e. need a large flow from the tank) @ 9 litres p/m, a 50 gal tank i.e. 227L should be sufficient. I might even drop to 40 gal.
b) 227L weighs 227kg + there is some small additional weight of the plastic tank.
c) A coffin tank would spread the load and could be laid perpendicular to the joists (I was thinking on 18mm plywood) and partially over the concrete partition on the floor below for further support. I was thinking about this one for example, which could span 3 joists
Does anyone have any thoughts on the above? What are the conventional methods for figuring out whether additional support is required and how to go about providing it? As long as 200 litres won't crash through the ceiling, I'm happy.