Raised cold water storage tank in loft; how to insulate it?

[jimjordan]

Hi all

I have been replacing the insulation in my loft, spaceblanket rolls, pipe insulation and the cold water tank.

My cold water tank is not sitting on the floor in the loft, it is on a wooden structure (like a table) about 450mm above the top of the joists.

The general opinion on the web seems to be that one should not lay insulation below the tank - is that correct in this situation?

Should I extend the tank insulation all the way down to the joists (like a skirt) creating a kind of tunnel from the floor of the loft up to the bottom of the tank and leave the area directly below the tank free of spaceblanket?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

 

[Patroller]

I'm no expert (I'm only here to get advice myself) but I am also insulating my loft this week and although my tank is not raised I have noted that, as you said, it should not have insulation placed underneath. Your idea about creating what you describe as a 'tunnel' around the bottom of the tank sounds like a good idea (unless somebody experienced can advice against).

Although my tank is not raised I am planning on doing something similar to this myself, ie trying to make sure that heat escaping from the ceiling under the tank does actually go towards keeping the tank a little warmer than above the insulation elsewhere in the loft.

 

[mointainwalker]

"..Should I extend the tank insulation all the way down to the joists (like a skirt) creating a kind of tunnel from the floor of the loft up to the bottom of the tank and leave the area directly below the tank free of spaceblanket?

Any pointers would be appreciated.

You have written all that is necessary to do, except perhaps if you wanted to go the whole hog, cut a slab to go over the lid, obviously not blocking any pipes.