Washer Floating In Cold Water Tank?

[confusedRMN]

Hi, my first post so please be gentle (not really, have at it!!),

We recently moved into a house that had been sitting empty for several months. As we live in a hard water area I checked out the water tanks and found it was full of sheets of limescale and limescale all around the tank and valve (kind of expected).

When I went back up today to throw in a Fernox limescale preventer to reduce further limescale problems I found a small washer (attached picture) floating on the surface of the water. I didn't see this before but doesn't mean it wasn't there. Nothing is leaking and everything seems to work (apart from the slow dripping old valve which I'm thinking I'll change for a fluidmaster as there is no supporting backplate and people tell me these are better than the ballcock type?).

Any ideas as to what the washer is from and if it's needed? Other than the hot water an Aqualisa digital shower takes its feed from the cold water tank, I believe all cold taps in the house are mains fed.

Stefan.

IMAG2237[1]

• confusedRMN
• 6 Nov 2015

washer found floating in cold water tank

IMAG2238[1]

• confusedRMN
• 6 Nov 2015

washer found floating in cold water tank

IMAG2226[1]

• confusedRMN
• 6 Nov 2015

Inside cold water tank

 

[Burnerman]

It looks like a defunct tap washer and I'd forget all about it!
You have a type 2 fill valve there, and I'd replace it like for like. You can always reinforce the valve on the outside of the tank with a piece of plastic or plywood with a hole in it....originally the tank would have been supplied with one.
John

 

[confusedRMN]

Thanks John,

I was hoping with a fluidmaster valve to stop the dripping as the valve slowly cuts off as it resonates right through the ceiling! Would a new part 2 and reinforcing the back help with this?

Is there any real need to get rid of the limescale already in the tank?

Thanks.

Stefan.

 

[polesapart]

Fluidmaster deffo better.

 

[Burnerman]

Fluidmaster is an excellent make - they seem generally used for toilet cisterns rather than loft tanks, and I'm not qualified to say why this should be so I just fit the traditional type 2. I look for a quality make though, such as Pegler.
Maybe the noise you hear is due to the water rippling, and a new valve and reinforcement will certainly help this.
The insides of your tank look pretty good really....you don't want that lime to go down the shower feed pipe though so if you want to bale it out, consider using a wet vacuum cleaner once the tank has naturally emptied.
Have fun!
John

 

[Nige F]

That's a cut out from when a hole was drilled in the cistern

 

[Burnerman]

Bang on!
Just wondering who would spot it first
John

 

[confusedRMN]

Ah I see it now! Feel a little silly, but am reassured at least! Thank you all!

Have noticed the difference already in the shower with the Fernox limescale preventer so seems to be doing something at least.

Stefan.