Big Water Bucket in the cupboard

[Jeremy2014]

Hello,
We are doing some decoration in the communal hallway (block of 4 flats) and came across that big bucket of water in a cupboard which is above the front door of one flat and are curious to figure out what it is.

We believe it was for the old days for some of the water for a flat.
How can we check that is still in use?
Can we take it out ourselves? or do we need plumber?

I was thinking that maybe we could try to empty it slightly so to see if any change and if the water would be toping up in the bucket as we are emptying it the old-fashioned way with a small bucket

Many thanks,

 

[RrogerD]

Just push the ball-cock down, that'll at least tell you if it is live. It's probably / possibly a feed for the rads etc.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The open-ended pipe, above the 'bucket', suggests it is a F&E tank, for the radiators.

 

[gas112]

25 gallon tank would normally be tank fed cold water or feeding a hot water cylinder

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

25 gallon tank would normally be tank fed cold water or feeding a hot water cylinder

In which case, why the open-ended pipe, above it?

To confirm it, the OP could tie up the float valve, to prevent it refilling, and run off some hot water, to see if the water level drops.

 

[gas112]

In which case, why the open-ended pipe, above it?

To confirm it, the OP could tie up the float valve, to prevent it refilling, and run off some hot water, to see if the water level drops.

if its supplying a cylinder then its an open vent
tank fed cold water then it could have suffered airlocks so someone added a way for air to escape .
.
No need for an FE tank for heating to be that size and volume also the water looks far too clear /clean.

.
My thoughts are cylinder

 

[ChrisJP]

In which case, why the open-ended pipe, above it?

If this "bucket" (that is tank) is the CW feed to a HW cylinder, then the open ended pipe is the normal expansion pipe for the HW cylinder.
The OP wasn't clear as to which floor this item is located on. If it's on the ground floor its very unlikely that it is supplying a HW cylinder or a radiator circuit.
Regarding the OP's question "can we just remove it?", the answer is NO, not before you find out its function and establish it's no longer required

 

[denso13]

If this "bucket" (that is tank)

It's a cistern

 

[Jeremy2014]

So I check with the neighbors and in their flat, they have electric heating and a hot water tank. Is that what you call the cylinder or something completely different?

tomorow, will push the cock ball and remove some water to check if it refills and get the neighbors to use hot water so to check if any refill take place and will revert back with an update.

This is on the second floor above a flat door, so assuming this is related to the flat on that same landing where that "cistern" is located.

 

[Madrab]

..... and a hot water tan. Is that what you call the cylinder

Yes - their Sunday name is a hot water cylinder

Would agree about it being an open vent - If they occupants have a (vented) hot water cylinder that will be the Cold Water Cistern (CWSC) for it, the up and over pipe will be the vent for the cylinder. Could do with a good clean though the actual water does look relatively clear and fresh which would suggest it's still in operation.

 

[CountryFan]

If it’s not your flat, why does it matter?

 

[fixitflav]

In which case, why the open-ended pipe, above it?

To confirm it, the OP could tie up the float valve, to prevent it refilling, and run off some hot water, to see if the water level drops.

It's from the HW cylinder. The feed to the hot taps is teed off it.

 

[Koolpc]

Its a high rise swimming pool for the borrowers..