Draining down hot water

[Fallout]

How do you find is best to drain the hot water so you can change a tap on an old vented tank and cylinder system. There is no isolation valves. Do you risk the gate valve on the cold feed to the cylinder?

 

[Burnerman]

Gate valves really belong in the days of steam, but may leak at the gland, may be seized, may not shut off the supply - who knows?
Either tie up the ball valve on the loft header tank or plug its outlet.....I prefer the former.
John

 

[Fallout]

if tieing up the ball valve I will have to drain the tank. Wouldn't it be as easy to just turn the mains off?

 

[45yearsagasman]

If you do that you'll still drain the storage tank, but it does save going up into the loft.

 

[Fallout]

I have no bunges/plugs so cant really plug the tank outlet.

 

[Burnerman]

The ball valve is frequently used and should work fine.....every time I touch my main stopcock the gland starts leaking, which is a PITA.
John

 

[45yearsagasman]

The ball valve is frequently used and should work fine.....every time I touch my main stopcock the gland starts leaking, which is a PITA.
John

Well, it's time you got that repaired.........do you know any good plumbers?