loft water tank question

[lindav]

I live in a first floor maisonette, in the loft there are two tanks. One is mine and the other belongs to downstairs. The couple who live downstairs are in there 80's and are away on holiday. I noticed that their overflow pipe was dripping so put a bucket out and it filled up overnight. I went into the loft to take a look and their tank was full past the overflow pipe and there was no ball ****, everyone I speak to says that's impossible? Neither of us have a boiler, we both have storage heating. I have a ball**** in my tank.
I am really worried in case the tank overflows.
As I have a key to downstairs I went in and let the hot water run for 5 minutes which stopped the dripping.
The maisonettes were built in 1978, can anyone give me some advice please.

 

[onecog]

The two tanks might be linked and the ball valve will be in the other tank ?

 

[Diyisfun]

So by that he means check your tank is not flowing to the other one. Would seem strange to me but Im not a plumber

 

[kbdiy]

Unless you have the necessary tools I would suggest you need a plumber. There must be a ballcock letting by - as suggest above perhaps the tanks are linked and one supply feds both? Is the water in both tanks at the same level and can you see pipes linking them?

 

[Charnwood]

Would seem strange to me but Im not a plumber

I've heard of this before in flats and maisonnettes. Nothing wrong with it if there are 2 properties being supplied, saves trying to get a massive tank through the loft hatch.

The only problem; one feed, 2 properties. Who's paying for the water

 

[Diyisfun]

Charnwood..To me it only saves on an overflow & ball valve. I can see sharing 1 tank, but if there are 2 why share a ball valve.
Although there may be an argument that says 'if any water' is coming from the overflow, take a look at it.

 

[lindav]

If the two are joined, then when I ran my taps to see if there was a problem with my tank surely the drip would have stopped? Quite right to say if they are joined who pays? We are both on water meters.
My neighbours got back last night and they say its because they haven't been home using water. All dripping has stopped now, so I will need to get back in the loft to check the water levels again. I have to wait for my Son to help me. ( I'm in my 60's and female)

What also makes me think they are separate is there are 2 overflow pipes coming out of the top of the building. And another 2 from our bathrooms.
I appreciate all your comments and help.

 

[Diyisfun]

If the two are joined, then when I ran my taps to see if there was a problem with my tank surely the drip would have stopped?

.

If the overflow was on their tank, when YOU use water their tank will still be at the overflow level. When they use water the level in their tank will drop.

 

[rjm2k]

can you post a photo of the 2 tanks?

 

[Charnwood]

If the overflow was on their tank, when YOU use water their tank will still be at the overflow level.

No, water finds its own level. Both tanks will be at the same level 'til the OPs tank falls below the level if the pipe joining the 2 tanks. The joining pipe will then act like an overflow pipe for the neighbour's tank. Their tank will fall to the level of the pipe joining the 2 tanks and not rise 'til the water in the OPs tank goes above the joining pipe.

 

[lindav]

After lots of investigation, my neighbour got home from holiday and told me he has his own tank above his airing cupboard. The two tanks in the loft are BOTH MINE, so all is clear now. The ball cock in his tank had got stuck. Thank you all so much for coming to my assistance.

 

[Diyisfun]

Charnwood,
I have 2 water butts, water flows from one to the other, not vice versa, it is dependent or where the fill & exit points are.
I agree if both tanks are sitting at the same level, the water will be the same in height in both tanks. We don't know if the tanks are at the same level, hence what I wrote.

 

[kbdiy]

2 tanks .. hey ... there's posh isn't it?